Farmers' Views on the Management of Irrigation Schemes in Nigeria

Abstract

"Most irrigation schemes in Nigeria are developed and managed by either the state or federal government. In all designs, the government owns the water impounding and distribution structures while the farm lands could be owned by either the government or the farmers or a combination of both. The government does not only operate and maintain these schemes but provides the agro-support services such as land preparation, seeds, fertilizers and chemicals to farmers. Farmers virtually have no roles to play except to divert water from the channels and operate their respective farm plots. Very few farmers' groups were actively concerned with irrigation water management and system maintenance. Existing groups are either full of inactive, limited membership or informal associations to obtain Government-supplied agricultural inputs."