Abstract:

A study was conducted to assess the level of operational performance and stakeholders’ participation in, and perceptions on, the management of three major irrigation projects in Kano State, Nigeria (Kano River Irrigation Project KRIP, Watari Irrigation Project WIP and Tomas Irrigation Project TIP). The study uses questionnaire, site visit and focus group discussions during the 2019/2020 irrigation season to generate crucial information related to the hydraulic infrastructures and operational performances. The study identified some problems related to operational performance affecting the three irrigation projects including illegal water use, faulty water conveyance infrastructures and conflict among water users and between water users and managers. Moreover, the study observed that a continuous flow water allocation method is being used in all three irrigation projects, leading to poor water allocation performance. Based on this, the study recommends a rotation water allocation method. About 50% of the total water users from KRIP, WIP and TIP do not participate in the maintenance of the irrigation infrastructures. The study revealed that the majority of the farmers have no confidence in water managers’ competence whereas water managers accused irrigators to lack enthusiasm and provided evidence of unlawful water usage as about 12, 8 and 39% of the irrigators from KRIP, WIP and TIP admitted to having been lifting water using pumps which have been considered as illegal since their farms were initially considered non-irrigable. Some of the underlying issues that led to these problems include lack of sensitization and awareness campaigns, seminars and workshops to facilitate farmers’ involvement in the maintenance of irrigation infrastructures. This can be achieved through sensitization and awareness campaigns to enlighten farmers on resolving conflicts, efficient use of limited water, and facilitating water users’ participation in irrigation management activities such as agency-farmer joint management. If such dialogue programs do not bring an end to these problems, other law enforcement measures such as legal actions need to be deployed. It is, therefore, recommended that the existing irrigation project management strategies need to be changed with new ones that encourage sensitization campaigns, law enforcement and participation. Also, in-depth coupled human-water interaction studies (socio-hydrology) need to be conducted to gain insights and propose solutions that could lead to sustainable irrigation system management and operation.