IMPACT OF TUNGAN-KAWO IRRIGATION SCHEME ON RICE PRODUCTION IN WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

It is reported that Africa, as a continent has the capacity to irrigate 42.5 million hectares (ha) based on available resources (land and water) and by far the greatest potential acknowledged by Lebdi (2016) is found in Nigeria, which accounts for more than 2.5 million hectares for both subsistence and commercial agriculture.

In a related development, Nigeria ranked 69th amongst countries by irrigated land area with only about 293,000ha of irrigable land equipped for irrigation, yet only about 218,000ha is actually irrigated with about 173,000ha under private small scale while,

29,000ha is under public irrigation scheme (World Bank, 2016). The nation is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world with ample acreage adjudged to be the best in term of fertility and appropriateness for agronomic practices (Folorunso, 2008).

Irrigation is an integral part of agricultural activities in Nigeria and its utilization recently, has improved tremendously throughout the country, although on a slow pace, which informed the motives why it is yet to play a substantive role to curtail the disparity between food demand and supply, to benefit farmers and generate jobs for the teeming youth in particular.

The rice sector in the country is one of the most remarkable agronomic developments over the decades because it is the most consumed staple food by Nigeria’s over 174 million people across states and geo-political regions as acknowledged by Terwase and Madu (2014). Also, it remains the grain irrigated predominantly in the country especially in dry seasons.

In view of this, Ugalahi et al. (2016), noted that consumption of rice in the country was abated by natural and socioeconomic phenomena, which include; population growth, increase in urbanization, and changes in dietary need. Against this backdrop, Nigeria resolved to the importation of rice on an unprecedented rate in order to balance the disparity, a situation that crippled local production and negatively affected the economy. It is to achieve self-reliance and boost the economy that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) initiated various agricultural programmes including the “Rice Revolution”.

In 2018, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) broadcasted that the country was spending not less than U.S $ 5 million per day, a situation that aggravated the negativity in the rice sector, thus undermining the general outlook of the economy. The FGN decision to ban the importation of rice was a step in the right direction which brought a turn-around in the local production of rice, as over 12 million farmers are producing more than 18 million tonnes of rice across the country. Also, output per hectare has increased from 1tonne to 5 and 7 tonnes per hectare depending on the location.

Nigeria is keenly encouraging domestic production where the state of Niger, endowed with fertile land (Folorunso, 2008) especially along the floodplains of rivers Kaduna and Niger and other rivers that traverse the state has stepped up its effort in this regard. Those communities that are situated along the river banks (for example, Tungan-kawo, Badeggi, Jebba, Katcha, Swashi, Lokogoma, and Zungeru) produce rice in both dry and rainy season while those that are situated upland produce only during the rainy season.

As such, rice production in the State has appreciated progressively following the rice revolution initiative. Recent documents revealed that the state of Niger is amongst the six major rice producers in the country, producing between 1.4 and 2 million tonnes each in both wet and dry season (BBC News, 2018). Therefore, the study seeks to determine the contribution of Tungan–kawo irrigation scheme towards the state and national production in curtailing the trend of rice importation and attaining self-sufficiency in the commodity.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

Experts are of the opinion that to assure food security in the rice consuming countries of the world including Nigeria, rice production will have to be redoubled by 50% in the affected nations by 2025 as reported by Zeng et al. (2004) cited by Makusidi, (2015) and this increment will have to be achieved on less land, with less usage of water, labour and chemicals.

Under this  premise,  food  and  in  particular rice  consumption  within  the country is increasing in volume due mainly to socioeconomic phenomena. This appeal for more agricultural production per capita per year by 2025 to mitigate the imbalance between production and demand, and sustainable irrigation culture will be an important mechanism to curb this disparity.

The Government of Nigeria in a deliberate attempt to enhance rice production and food security generally, established various irrigation schemes across the country of which Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme is one of them. The development of sustainable irrigation practices in the country cannot be over emphasized  considering present population growth rate of 3.2% annually, while food production is increasing by only 2.5% per annum.

This notion conforms to recent statistics reeled out by the United Nations (UN) Food Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2015) which indicated that by the year 2025, it will be difficult for Nigeria to feed her populace if alternative farming systems, such as irrigation are not fully harnessed.

And with the current policy of the Federal Government tagged “Rice Transformation Agenda” of which the Agricultural Production Policy was built upon, rice production has sprung up immensely and several activities are now undertaken at the scheme.

The study was conducted to examine the magnitude of the contribution of Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme to the economy of Nigeria, Niger state and the local economy of Wushishi through the provision of jobs and enhancement of food security.

1.3 Justification for the Study

The study seeks to highlight the various activities involved in rice irrigation farming at Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme in Wushishi, Niger state, Nigeria. And how the government policy on rice production has motivated the citizens and businesses to embrace sustainable rice irrigation culture.

This research also seeks to contribute to the body of literature for students and scholars and especially those interested in irrigation practices especially rice irrigation farming as exercised in Tungan-kawo.

The study will assist the government in taking appropriate measures towards improving the irrigation scheme and other similar irrigation projects so as to help in its determination to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

While some research delves at irrigation cultivation of fruits, vegetable and wheat, this study focused on rice irrigation farming so as to measure the tremendous effect on households partaking in rice production and its value added chain.

1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study encompasses the impact of Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme on rice production in Wushishi L.G.A,  Niger state, Nigeria. The scheme serves  Bankogi,  Dankuwagi, Kanko, Kasakogi, Kodo/Yelwa and Maito communities. It further covers the impact associated with the irrigation scheme couple with the degree of vulnerability of the irrigation scheme and the strategies adopted by farmers for optimal productivity within the study area.

However, the study was limited to rice irrigation farming within Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme, Wushishi L.G.A, Niger state of Nigeria.

1.5 Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to assess the impact of Tungan-Kawo irrigation scheme on rice production in Wushishi L.G.A, Niger state, Nigeria.

The specific objectives include to:

i.      identify the irrigation activities of rice production in the study area;

ii.      examine the impact of rice irrigation farming on livelihood of the communities in the study area;

iii.     examine the degree of vulnerability of the rice irrigation scheme;

iv.      assess the strategies adopted to improve productivity.

1.6 Research Questions

The thesis seeks to answer the following questions:

i.      What are the activities of rice irrigation production in the study area?

ii.      What are the impact of rice irrigation farming on livelihood of the communities in the study area?

iii.     What is the degree of vulnerability of rice irrigation scheme in the study area?

iv.      What are the strategies adopted to improve productivity within the study area?

1.7 The Study Area

Geographically, Wushishi L.G.A is situated in Niger state of Nigeria. Wushishi has an area of 1,879.4km². It has a population of 81,783 (National Population Commission, (NPC), 2006) and the postal code of the area is 922. The Bureau of statistic has maintained an approximate population growth rate of 3.2% geometrically. Hence, the projected population was estimated to be 119,349 as at 2018. The study area lies between Latitudes 8° 22’ N and 11° 30’N and between Longitudes 3°30’and 7° 20’E. It is situated along River Kaduna and surrounded by mountains, giving it a lower elevation than the surrounding topography. It shares boundaries with Bosso L.G.A to the West, Rafi to the South, Mashegu to the East and to the North by Mariga. The L.G.A is the site of Tungan kawo irrigation dam, Niger state Polytechnic and Zungeru Hydro-electric dam.

Tungan-kawo irrigation scheme is situated at approximately 7 Km away from Wushishi town, Wushishi L.G.A of Niger state. The scheme lies between Latitudes 9° 48’ and 9° 59’N and between Longitudes 6° 45’E. The site is highly traversed and well accessible

and it is naturally a fadama land situated within the floodplains of Rivers Ubandawaki and Bankogi where the Tungan-kawo dam is housed.

1.7.2 Climate

There are  prominent  climatic  features  which  are  vital  in  agricultural  practices  and particularly, rice production. These are rainfall, temperature and humidity. These climatic variables combined with the area’s physiography and altitude have essential influence on rice production.

Wushishi L.G.A is generally tropical with marked seasonal and altitudinal temperature with dry and rainy seasons. The rainy seasons starts from April till October while the dry seasons begin from November to March. It experiences a mean annual rainfall of 1302mm with September measuring the highest down pour yet of 300mm. The mean monthly temperature is high in March at 30.50°C (85°F) and low in August at 22.3°C (72°F). The average monthly minimum and maximum temperatures observed in the study area were 20.5˚C and 35.5˚C respectively (Niger State Facts and Figures, 2012).

The mean relative humidity in Wushishi is estimated to be within 60% in January to February, and 80% from June to September because it experiences extreme seasonal variation in humidity. Unlike temperature which typically varies significantly between night and day, dew point tends to change more slowly, so while the temperature may drop at night, a muggy day is typically trailed by a muggy night and this humid period of the year lasts for 9 months, from February 21 to November 22 (Niger State Facts and Figures, 2012).

1.7.3 Soil

The soil of the irrigation scheme is derived primarily from the floodplain of River Ubandawaki and Bankogi where the topography is significantly flat and low-lying. Highly eroded or gully surfaces are observed around the flood embankment and few of the access roads (Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), 2011).

Soil texture within the scheme vary from sand to sandy-loam in upland area, though moderately well drained. Whereas, the Fadama parts vary from sandy-loam to loam, sandy-clay-loam and clay and it is poorly drained.

The soil composition of sandy-loam and loam texture bring about the best products in irrigation practices because of its high permeability and moderate water holding capacity. While sandy-clay, loam  and clay composite exhibits poor permeability resulting to shallow root growth, poor aeration, low microbial activities, water logging and consequently high water holding capacity (UNRBDA, 2011).

The structure of any agricultural soil is a very significant property for aeration, infiltration, water percolation and retention, drainage and the growth of plant roots. A substantial part of the irrigation scheme comprises of soil structures that ranges from medium, angular, blocky and crumb structure in the upland to coarse, angular, blocky structure in the Fadama section of the scheme. All these soil structure observed are adjudged to be suitable for rice and other crops cultivated within the scheme.  The soil can be categorized under the major soil group order of Inceptisols (United States Department of Agriculture) derived from alluvial deposits and the interphase of the Nupe sandstone and basement complex (UNRBDA, 2011).

1.7.4 Drainage pattern/system

The irrigation scheme being situated within the floodplains is largely low-lying and characterized by pockets of depression (ponds/lakes) all abound the scheme, some of which contained  water during field/reconnaissance survey conducted.  However, the existing drainage pattern shows that the area is naturally drained into River Bankogi located towards the downstream of the scheme which further drain into River Kaduna (UNRBDA, 2011).

1.7.5 Socio economic activities

The economic activities of this area are vested in the production of agricultural products. The people of Wushishi are predominantly farmers. Although, few engage in fishing and small-scale businesses for their livelihood, rice cultivation is widely practice in the area. Economic activities of this area are discussed herewith:

Farming activities – due to the soil texture, climate and physiographic features of the study area, the cultivation of Grains (for example; maize, guinea corn, millet, beans, sesame seed, rice), Tuber crops (for example; yam, cassava and sweet potatoes), Fruits (for example; mango, cashew, guava, shea butter and water melon) and Vegetables (for example; garden egg, tomatoes, pepper and bitter leaves) are practiced. Fishing activities – fishing has also been observed to be one of their mainstays and a source of income for the people. Such activity is possible due to the presence of River Kaduna and other rivers like Bankogi and Ubandawaki that cut across the area bringing along with it varieties of fish such as catfish and tilapia.

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