Irrigation Research

PROF. H. MANI

INTRODUCTION 

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