IMPACT OF SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGIES ON CROP PRODUCTION BY FADAMA USERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of small scale irrigation technology in crop production under Fadama areas of Niger State. To achieve the objective of the study, data were collected from 96 farmers engaged in various crop enterprises under the Fadama. The farmers were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, Farm Budgeting Model, Farm production Model and Linear Programming Model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that fadama users are small-scale farmers cultivating small hectarage of land and using simple farm tools, but practice pump irrigation or calcabash system. Furthermore, they produce more than one crop enterprises. The Farm Budgeting Analysis shows that Fadama cultivation is profitable. Farm production function revealed that land, labour and purchased input had a positive relationship with the output of the enterprises. The linear programming analysis revealed that opportunities exist for increasing profit through resource reorganization. It was suggested that extension workers and private organizations assist the fadama users in reducing post-harvest losses via provision of processing and storage facilities. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of soil and water quality as well as ground water table was advocated, in order to ensure sustainability of fadama irrigation in the area.