Authors : K.I. Samaila, N.D. Marcus and S.B. Momale
Abstract: The expanding demands for agricultural products by the growing population in the developing economies have suffered serious setbacks over the last decades from climatic inconsistency. Irrigation therefore, offers a promising alternative in augmenting rain fed agriculture and boosts agricultural production. In most urban Nigerian cities, wastewaters from industrial and domestic operations are disposed into surface water, receiving bodies culminating into water management problems. Wastewaters in the drainage system due to their constant supply and their perennial nature are attractive, dependable and reliable water source for irrigation. This study investigates, the perception of farmers on the effects of wastewater, reuse for irrigation development and its implication as a management strategy. Structured questionnaires were administered to 200 respondents on irrigated fields near drains served by industrial effluents or domestic sewage. Focused group discussion was also organized along side the questionnaires. Result of analysis indicates that though the reuse of wastewater is popular with most farmers, it is however observed that it is likely to be accompanied by potential environmental and health problems. For irrigation to offer opportunity to manage wastewaters in the area with minimum adverse environmental effects proper management of crops, soils and water must be pursued vigorously. The study also proffers recommendations for the reuse of wastewaters for irrigation in Nigeria such as selection of tolerant crops, some form of treatment before discharge into water recipient surfaces and monitoring of wastewater at point of generation.
K.I. Samaila, N.D. Marcus and S.B. Momale, 2011. Efficient Management of Resources: Wastewater Application in Dry Season Farming in Kaduna Urban Area Nigeria. Agricultural Journal, 6: 188-193.