ECONOMICS OF RESOURCE USE IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF PUMP SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN ZONE OF THE BAUCHI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, NIGERIA
ECONOMICS OF RESOURCE USE IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF PUMP SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN ZONE OF THE BAUCHI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, NIGERIA
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Date
1989-02
Authors
BABA, KPOTUN MOHAMMAD
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Abstract
Government thrust on irrigation development in Nigeria seems
to have focused on the establishment of large-scale irrigation
schemes, which for various reasons have been unable to yield the
desired increase in agricultural production. Available evidences
tend to suggest that small-scale irrigation systems have greater
potential of increasing agricultural production in the country
than the large-scale schemes. Despite their potentials, irrigation
development planners, in Nigeria, have continuously neglected the
small-scale irrigation systems. The neglect is probably due to lack
of adequate research information on crop production under the system
This study was therefore designed to provide empirical information
on the economics of crop production under small-scale irrigation,
with particular reference to pump systems in the Western Zone of the
Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP).
To achieve the objectives of the study, input-output data were
collected, through the "Cost route" method, from forty-five farmers
purposively sampled from four villages in the Western Zone of the
BSADP. She data collection was undertaken between December 1987 and
June 1988. The collected data were analysed using the Farm Budget
and Cobb-Douglas (Power) production function models. The farm budget
analysis revealed that most of the farmers were making profits from
crop production under pump irrigation systems. In fact, the analysis
revealed that the farmers realised an average profit of N2,558.46 per
hectare. On the other hand, the Cobb-Douglas production function
analysis revealed that inputs were being inefficiently allocated under
the systems. While labour and plant population were being used
above their economic optimum levels, fertilizer and irrigation water vii
were being used below their economic optima. This implies that
there is still, opportunity for increasing profits through resource
adjustments under the systems. Efforts should be made towards
increased provision of irrigation water and fertilizer. Farmers
would also need a downward adjustment of their plant population.
On the basis of the findings of the study, it was concluded
that tho promotion of pump irrigation systems should be seriously
considered by policy makers in Nigeria.
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ECONOMICS OF RESOURCE USE IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE:, A CASE STUDY OF PUMP SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN ZONE OF THE BAUCHI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME,