International Journal of Irrigation and Agricultural Development (IJIRAD)

Performance Evaluation of a Two-Row Tractor-Mounted Groundnut Harvester in Comparison with Traditional Harvesting Methods

Anthony Akurugo Alubokin, Joseph Aveyire, Joseph Apodi — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study sought to evaluate the performance of a two-row, fully mounted groundnut harvester by comparing vine and pod yields, percentage pod loss, and the proportion of damaged pods with four (4) other harvesting methods namely; hand hoe, hand fork, hand pulling, and cutlass. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising three (3) blocks and five treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% confidence level. The tractor-mounted harvester recorded a vine yield of 1,833 kg ha⁻¹ and a total pod yield loss of 25.64%, consisting of 0.19% damaged pods and 25.45% detached pod losses. In comparison with the hand hoe, cutlass, hand pulling, and hand fork harvesting methods, the harvester demonstrated competitive performance. However, a significant portion of the total pod losses associated with the harvester was due to pod detachment, highlighting its potential as a practical alternative to hand pulling for reducing overall harvest losses. Although the machine performed satisfactorily in digging operations, its current design limitations contribute substantially to pod detachment, thereby reducing its overall viability. These findings emphasize the need for further optimization of the harvester’s design to enhance its efficiency and minimize pod losses.

Local Knowledge and Innovations in Farmer-Driven Irrigation Systems in Northern Ghana

Evans Aboticheko Anyedina, George N. Dery, Emmanuel K. Derbile, Wolfram Laube — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Rainfall patterns in northern Ghana have shown a continuous contraction in the length of the rainy season over the years. Regional climate forecasts project that this trend will become even more pronounced, with climatic conditions expected to grow increasingly unpredictable and erratic. As a result, sustaining agriculture in semi-arid regions is becoming increasingly difficult without the development of irrigation systems. In addressing this challenge, most experts have focused on conventional irrigation technologies, often overlooking the role of local knowledge. This study therefore examines the range of local knowledge and innovations employed in Farmer-Driven Irrigation Systems (FDIS) for sustainable irrigation development. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was adopted. Qualitative data were collected through 11 key informant interviews and 5 focus group discussions, while quantitative data were obtained from a survey of 226 irrigators. The findings reveal that smallholder farmers integrate innovative local knowledge systems into FDIS at every stage of the agricultural production value chain. These innovations are diverse and include the application of ash or salt in furrows prior to transplanting to reduce pest and disease infestation, the construction of high-yielding wells, and the use of shallow wells with motorized pumps to improve access to irrigation water. Therefore, local knowledge as applied by irrigators represents a hybrid system that combines modern technologies with indigenous production practices in ways that are both affordable and sustainable for smallholder farmers. The study recommends the implementation of strategic policies that enhance farmers’ sustainable access to water, inputs, and market opportunities, thereby strengthening their efforts to promote sustainable irrigation agriculture.

Evaluation of DSSAT-CROPGRO Model for Greenhouse Tomato in Northern Ghana

Yayra K. Agbemabiese, Abdul-Halim Abubakari, Israel K. Dzomeku — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:18:25 +0000

Water and nutrient constraints challenge greenhouse adoption by farmers in Ghana, with resource optimization experiments proving costly. Predictive modeling, such as the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT), offers a practical alternative for simulating crop yield influenced by fertilizer, irrigation, genotype, and micro-climate interactions. This study calibrated and validated the DSSAT model to predict indeterminate tomato yields in Northern Ghana under varying fertigation regimes and greenhouse conditions. Treatments included fertilizer rates (100%, 80%, and 60%), irrigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60%), and two tomato genotypes (Jalila F1 and Yetty F1). The model accurately simulated key parameters, including maximum leaf area index (RRMSE: 44.97–140.99; D-Value: 0.31–0.77), aboveground dry biomass (RRMSE: 16.88–25.04; D-Value: 0.66–0.81), and yield (RRMSE: 17.03–22.43; D-Value: 0.67–0.90). Results demonstrated the model’s capacity to capture yield variations influenced by fertigation and genotype under dynamic greenhouse environments, closely aligning with observed data. The DSSAT model proves valuable as a decision-support tool, enabling farmers to optimize crop management strategies, conserve resources, and enhance sustainable food production in resource-limited settings.

Effects of Irrigation Methods and Soil Amendment Practices on Growth and Yield of Okra

Pascal Niyonkuru, Yayra K. Agbemabiese, Mahamud Abu — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Irregular rainfall pattern and distribution coupled with soil health challenges has led to water stress challenges, hindering crop and water productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interactive effect of irrigation methods and soil amendment practices on soil chemical characteristics, moisture content, growth, yield and water productivity of okra during the production season. Generally, there was a sharp decrease in the soil pH, EC, nitrogen and phosphorus content after the experiment indicating the use of soil nutrients by plants under each treatment. The average soil moisture content as influenced by soil amendment practices, ranked as cow dung > 50% cow dung + 50 % NPK > NPK > zero soil amendment. Supplementary irrigated okra had 6.3%, 17.5%, 25.1%, 35.4% and 19.7% increase in chlorophyl content, plant height, stem girth, leaf area index and yield of okra than rainfed okra. Supplementary irrigated okra combined with cow dung treated soils (20.1 t/ha) as well as soil treated with 50 % cow dung and 50 % NPK (20 t/ha) recorded similar yield, being the best yield. These combinations are recommended for farmers for better economic value and soil water retention, towards soil health.

Design and Test Performance of Weeding Robot using Circular Cutter and Pixy 2 Sensor

Anthony Y. Zebre, Yong-Tae Kim — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Farm machinery is the backbone of agricultural mechanization in mitigating labour shortages and making farm work easy to handle. Automation in agriculture can solve labour shortages problem, reduce crop production cost, sustains agricultural land and the environment, to increase farmer income. Automation is a very key factor in achieving agricultural mechanization revolution for increase in crop yield per hectare and quality food produce. The research presents a suitable design and model of a weeding robot to assist farmers control farm weeds effectively, to increase productivity. The study proposes a better way of fighting farm weeds instead of the gruesome attack on farm weeds. It can also promote commercial agriculture, release manpower for non-agricultural purposes, and facilitates organic farming. The proposed weeding robot uses a circular cutter with the blade having an angle that enables it cut/clear weed through centrifugal force power by continuous rotation servo motor. The mechanical part of the robot is designed with AutoCAD, and cross-checked for various actions. The components are print with 3D printer. Even though using a circular cutter for controlling weeds on farm fields was amongst the first step of development, techniques of perception, innovations, positioning, and cutting have been developed and or improved upon for resilient weed control. Further work development will be making the best of the vision control system using deep learning techniques and artificial intelligence. The deep learning techniques will be a vision and action control system to establish a more capable and accurate model for agricultural farm weeds detection.

Effects of Different Soilless Media and Fertigation Schedules on the Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Adeline Anguah-Mante, Raphael Adu-Gyamfi, Yayra K. Agbemabiese — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Soilless media are developed to address challenges like lack of fertile soil, controlling soil-borne diseases, and soil salinity. The use of drip fertigation and substrates in protected tomato cropping (Lycopersicon esculentum) has increased plant health and fruit quality, particularly in sustainable production methods. On the other hand, it is still unclear about tomato plants in terms of the relationship between fertigation frequency and substrate volume. This study evaluated the effects of drip fertigation frequencies and different soilless media on the fruit yield and quality of tomato plants grown in a greenhouse. The experiment utilized a split-plot design with fertigation frequency as the main plot and soilless media as the sub-plot. The fertigation which was a combination of the estimated crop water requirement and the calculated fertilizer rates were as follows: three times daily fertigation (40% deficit fertigation), four times daily fertigation (20% deficit fertigation) and full fertigation (100% fertigation) were applied to four soilless media: 100% cocopeat, 60% cocopeat + 40% Rice husk, 60% cocopeat + 40% Biochar, and 40% cocopeat + 40% Sawdust + 20% Sorghum haulm Biochar. The result of the study demonstrated that the interaction effect of the Five times daily fertigation (100% fertigation) with 60% Cocopeat + 40% Rice husk biochar exhibited superior yield performance in both wet (119.96 t/ha) and dry seasons (119.83 t/ha). Fruit yield increased with increasing irrigation frequency. On the average, 60% Cocopeat + 40% Rice husk biochar media was not significantly different from 100% cocopeat. The highest crop water productivity in both wet (16.51 t/mm) and the dry season (15.66 t/mm) was observed in 60% Cocopeat + 40% Rice husk biochar media. 100% cocopeat and cocopeat–rice husk mixtures consistently produced fruits with higher Total soluble solids and redness in both seasons. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis revealed that 60% Cocopeat + 40% Rice-husk Biochar ranked first followed by 100% Cocopeat.

Climate Variability and its Implications for the Sustainability and Resilience of Maize Production in the Northern Region of Ghana

Benjamin B. Suolo, Bizoola Z. Gandaa, Isaka Balma Yakubu, Precious K. Blege — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Climate variability remains one of the most significant shocks undermining agricultural productivity, particularly in rain-fed systems dominated by smallholder farmers. This study evaluates the impact of rainfall and temperature variability on maize yield, examines the relationship between these climatic variables, and explores adaptive practices aimed at mitigating the effects of dry spells and temperature fluctuations in the Tolon District. Secondary data were employed to assess the time-series trends in maize yield and climatic variables. The Mann–Kendall trend test, Sen’s Slope estimator, and Pearson correlation analysis were applied to identify monotonic trends and relationships among climate parameters and maize yield. The results revealed no statistically significant trends in annual rainfall (p = 0.0798), maximum temperature (p = 0.4691), or maize yield (p = 0.0679) over the study period. However, the minimum temperature exhibited a statistically significant increasing trend (p = 0.00017), rising by approximately +0.083°C per year. A positive correlation was observed between annual rainfall and maize yield (r = 0.425). Although no significant yield trend was detected, maize production showed a slight annual increase of about +0.039 t/ha, likely attributable to improved agronomic practices and the adoption of enhanced seed varieties.