International Journal of Irrigation and Agricultural Development (IJIRAD)

Design and Construction of a Mixed-Mode Natural Convection Solar Dryer for Mango Slices

2024-07-09T19:47:28+00:00

Fruits like mangoes are produced in large quantities during the peak season, and high postharvest losses occur due to lack of appropriate storage and handling structures. The main goal of this study was to design and construct a mixed-mode natural convection (MMNC) solar dryer for drying of mango slices. The dryer was designed using AutoCAD and constructed with wood and glass using basic woodworking tools and processes. The developed dryer has a direct collector, a vertical collector, and an indirect collector. The drying chamber has two removable frames with 5 shelves each, a total drying area of 2.54 m² and a capacity of 10 kg of mango slices per batch. The dryer is fitted with caster wheels for easy turning and positioning. Test conducted with 940 g of fresh mango slices resulted in effective drying after 17 hours, from a moisture content of approximately 90% (wb) reduced to 17% (wb). The drying rate was found to be 4.3%/hr. The maximum temperature obtained in the drying chamber was 54.3 ℃ at a maximum ambient temperature of 37.6 ℃. The average temperature-rise in the drying chamber compared to the ambient temperature was 11.5 ℃. The dryer is therefore recommended for use both domestically and by small-scale food processors since it is more hygienic and has proven to be more efficient than open-air sun drying.

Assessment of Technical and Financial Feasibility of the Gadachaur Lift Irrigation System, Bajura Nepal

2024-07-09T19:47:28+00:00

Implementation of a cost-effective and technically feasible irrigation project in the hilly topography contains many challenges in operation and management. This study examined the technical and economic feasibility of the lift irrigation system along with diversification of irrigated agriculture in one of the mid-hill districts of Nepal. To achieve the overall aim, a case study was conducted in Gadachaur, Bajura District of Nepal in 2022-2023. The approach consisted of collecting data and information from desk study of Google Earth maps, field visits, surveys, focus group discussions and subsequent ,interpretation. The study found that the selected system is both technically and economically feasible. The cropping intensity in the chosen area was 105%. The economic analysis indicated that the internal rate of return was 19.7%, and the B/C ratio at a 10% discount was 1.9, while at a 12% discount rate, the B/C was 1.63. After establishing the technical feasibility of the irrigation system, the following recommendations were made; the economic size of the pumping main should be 80 mm, the total dynamic head should be 160 m, the total volume of water to be pumped per day should be 141 m³, and the HP of the pump required should be 15 KW.

Women’s Local Knowledge and Engagement in Groundwater Irrigation: Impacts on Household Food Security in the Upper East Region of Ghana

2024-07-09T19:47:28+00:00

Groundwater irrigation in Ghana is a major livelihood activity that secures food through the cultivation of vegetables for households, particularly in the dry season. This activity is largely driven by the application of local knowledge. However, the existing studies that examined local knowledge of groundwater irrigation focused mostly on male irrigation farmers. Women’s local knowledge is often ignored or remains undocumented. In instances where it is studied, women’s local knowledge is lumped with males’ local knowledge thus ignoring its uniqueness. Furthermore, the studies about women’s local knowledge in this activity present this knowledge as one that permits women to perform only supplementary roles. Also, irrigation generally has an impact on food security. Yet, few studies have examined how women’s engagement in this activity secures food for their households. Therefore, the study discusses the following: the source of women’s local knowledge of groundwater irrigation, the value and application of women’s local knowledge of groundwater irrigation and the contributions of groundwater irrigation undertaken by women to household food security. Local knowledge is special knowledge; thus, a qualitative study approach was employed to explore it. Five rural communities in the Upper East Region of Ghana were studied. Interviews were used to generate the primary data while ATLAS.ti and GraphPad software were used in organising, analysing and presenting the data. The results showed that women farmers possessed local knowledge which was traced to different sources. The knowledge extended to include their negotiation power for access to land/wells, resources of which they have been marginalised. The application of this knowledge in groundwater irrigation promoted household food security, in the dimensions of access, utilisation, affordability, and agency. However, climate change may threaten groundwater irrigation’s contribution to food security unless artificial groundwater recharge is promoted.

Performance Evaluation of Sweet Corn Cultivated in Greenhouse in Northern Ghana

2024-07-09T15:39:50+00:00

The study assessed the effect of conventional deficit irrigation (CDI), alternate partial rootzone drying (APRD), and fixed partial rootzone drying (FPRD) at two water regimes (80 and 60% of crop water requirement), compared to full irrigation (FI), and in conjunction with two nitrogen fertilizer rates (3.2 and 5.5 g N plant-1), on water productivity (WP), nitrogen (N) uptake, and use efficiency (NUE) in maize (Zea mays L. var saccharate). The plants were grown in the greenhouse conditions, in split-root grow bags and exposed to FI, CDI, APRD and FPRD treatments from four weeks after planting (4 WAP) to harvest. Analysis across the N-fertilization treatments showed that CDI, APRD, and FPRD significantly decreased plant height, shoot and root dry mass, shoot and root N uptake compared with the FI control. Specifically, plant height and Leaf Area Index (LAI) were at their lowest with FPRD60 and APRD60, respectively, throughout the measured weeks. Additionally, shoot and root dry mass were notably reduced by 65.1% and 64.5% for FPRD60 and FPRD80, respectively, in comparison to FI. Water productivity remained consistent across all treatments. However, the CDI80 treatment exhibited a water-saving of 21.6% compared to FI and increased WP by 5.4%. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) significantly increased with increasing water deficit levels with FPRD60 increasing NUE by 52.5% compared to FI. Overall, CDI and APRD at mild stress had similar effect on plant growth, biomass and N uptake, with F-PRD demonstrating the lowest impact. The study revealed that water saved with deficit strategies across N fertilizer treatment did not significantly maintain or increase the water productivity (WP), but improved NUE.

Effect of Gender and Generation on the Adoption of Irrigation and Good Farming Practices in Bontanga and Golinga Irrigation Schemes in Northern Ghana

2024-07-22T09:11:14+00:00

This study examined the challenges faced by men, women, and different age groups in irrigation water management and farming practices in the Bontanga and Golinga irrigation schemes. The results of the study revealed that there are significant differences in irrigation and farming practices between men and women as well as between older and younger farmers. For men, the main challenges were; limited access to financial resources for investing in modern irrigation technologies and equipment, inadequate knowledge and awareness of sustainable farming practices and water management insufficient government support, and lack of policies tailored to their specific needs. For women, these were gender inequalities and limited access to land, water, and productive resources, lack of control and decision-making power over irrigation water allocation, and limited access to training and extension services to enhance their farming skills. Youth recognized limited interest and involvement in agriculture due to the perception of low profitability and lack of modernization, inadequate access to education and training opportunities in agricultural practices and water management, and insufficient support and mentorship programs to encourage youth participation in farming.