A COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FURROW, SPRINKLER AND DRIP IRRIGATION METHODS FOR MAIZE (ZEA MAYS, L.) PRODUCTION IN MAIDUGURI SEMI-ARID REGION OF BORNO STATE, NIGERIA
Maize production in the semi-arid region of Nigeria relies widely on irrigation. The irrigation method and schedule used by the farmers has become unsustainable due to low yield, low water use efficiency, low quality of maize kernels and low net farm income. The aim of this study was to determine economics of the irrigation methods and schedules in maize production for semi-arid environment of Nigeria. Two field experiments were conducted in the 2014 and 2015 seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Borno State which is located in the semi-arid region of Northern Nigeria. The experiments consisted of a factorial combination of irrigation methods and scheduling methods laid in a randomized complete block design that resulted in nine (9) treatments. Irrigation methods were at 3 levels namely; drip, sprinkler and furrow irrigation methods. Irrigation scheduling methods were also at three levels namely fixed irrigation interval (7days), soil moisture based schedule using tensiometer at trigger level of 30 cbar and climate based schedule based on the ratio of irrigation amount to cumulative pan evaporation of 1 (1.0 IW/CPE). The treatments were randomly assigned to plots and replicated 3 times. A total of 27 experimental plots were used for the study. The economic viability of maize production under the different irrigation and scheduling methods were determined. The results revealed that, the combination of drip irrigation and tensiometer schedule had the highest net farm income and benefit cost ratio of $695.2 and 3.20 respectively compared to $514.77 and 2.10 for sprinkler and $545.8 and 2.84 for furrow irrigation method. It is recommended that farmers in the semi-arid region of Nigeria should all things being equal adopt the use of drip irrigation method for improved maize production.
Authors : Bashir, A.U., Muhammed, G. and Umaru, A.B.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 8(2) Date Uploaded : 28th January 2023