PROF. H. MANI
The focus of the Irrigation Research Programme is on developing farming systems suited to the irrigated areas of the northern states of Nigeria, with an emphasis on the judicious utilization of water and efficient
management of the soil and environment. The specific objectives of the
programme are:
·
To identify appropriate techniques for water resources development
and management, such as water storage, conveyance systems, application methods, and drainage for the efficient use of water in agriculture.
·
To develop suitable methodology for efficient management of
soil-water-crop environment for sustained crop production, including scheduling
identification and development of suitable cropping system, irrigated soil
management, fertilizer use, and socio-economic analysis of various aspects of
irrigated agriculture.
·
To develop suitable preventive and curative measures for
environmental hazards such as soil salinity, water logging, weeds, insects and
environmental pollution, etc. associated with faulty irrigation systems.
To
achieve these objectives, the programme had mapped out strategies for execution
along the following three sub-programmes, viz:
o
Water resources development and management,
o
Irrigation cropping systems; and
o
Environmental implications of irrigation.
SPECIAL
CALL TO SCIENTISTS
The Irrigation
Research programme of IAR has the national mandate for all research that cuts across all crops and irrigation-related problems in Nigeria. We are very much
aware of the fluctuation of rainfall patterns in the country as a result of
global climate change. Thus, there is a growing challenge of crop failure as a
result of dry spells, drought, flooding, and pest and disease incidences, as well
as soil-related problems faced by our farming population. Thus, I would like to use this medium to call
on scientist to increase their participation in the Irrigation Research
activities so that these challenges could be addressed.
RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES
i.
Review
A total of nine (09) research projects were approved for take-off
last year, but three experiments on Artemisia, cowpea, and carbon sequestration
of rice could not be established. This was due to the absence of scientists (Artemisia & cowpea) and the non-availability of funds (carbon sequestration) for rice. A total of six (6) RPBs and four (04) RPAs were submitted for review.
The Programme is soliciting more funds due to rising costs of diesel for irrigation and petrol for transportation to Kadawa. Cost of labour during the irrigation season is very high. Scientists and Technicians are requesting resuscitation of payment of a day trip when they travel to Kadawa for encouragement and motivation. i. Technical Assistant on Cotton Production under Irrigation in Katsina State
The Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Katsina State Government through the State Agricultural and Rural
Development Agency (KTARDA) to provide technical assistance on Cotton
production under irrigation in November, 2018.
Thus in 2022/2023 dry season, a team of scientist comprising Profs. D.I. Adekpe and I. Onu were able to
successfully establish the cotton production. The Scientists are expected to
provide update to meeting on this project.
IRRIGATION RESEARCH REVIEW
COMMITTEE
Member Discipline Represented
A.
A. Yusuf Soil
Science, Executive Director IAR (Chairman)
B.
D. Tarfa Soil
Science
H. N. Kura Isah
Shero, Programme Leader
H. E. Igbadun Agricultural
& Bio resources Engineering
D. I. Adekpe Agronomy
M. D. Alegbejo Crop
Protection
M. O. Akinola Agric
Extension and Rural Development
H. N. Kura Agronomy
A. O. Ojeleye Agric.
Economics
A. Abdulkadir Soil
Science
M. K. Othman NAERLS
A. M. Yamusa Agro-Climatology
PARTICIPATING RESEARCH STAFF
Member Discipline Represented
I.
Onu Entomologist
H.
Mani Agronomy
H. E.
Igbadun Agricultural
and Bio-resources Engineering
M. A.
Yahaya Plant
Science
H. N.
Kura Irrigation
Agronomy
S.E.L.
Alao Crop
Protection
U. D.
Idris Agricultural
Engineering, DAC
A.
Yusuf Soil
Science
A. A.
Mukhtar (Mrs) Agronomy
A. M.
Yamusa Soil
Science
O. A.
Ojeleye Agric.
Economics
M. O.
Akinola Agric.
Extension
M. K.
Othman NAERLS
M. K.
Dalhat Agric.
& Bio-resources Engineering
R.
Abdulmalik Plant
Science
Y.
Abdullahi Plant
Science
D. I
Adekpe Agronomy
Alao,
S.E.L Crop
Protection
M. S.
Mohammed Plant
Science
S.
Iliyasu DAC
H.
Usman Plant
Science