Land Evaluation for improved Rice Production in Watari Irrigation Project Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at raising irrigated rice production in Watari Irrigation scheme, in Kano state, as to bridge the gap between the demand for rice and its supply. The food and Agricultural Organization FAO, (1985) frame work for land evaluation for irrigated rice production was employed, and the soil map of the study area has already been produced by Haskoning Nigeria
Limited in 1987 and only those mapping units identified as suitable for irrigation were considered for the study. Six (6) Land mapping units were delineated and twenty six(26) sampling points considered with a single profile from each mapping unit and various soil augerings.These were evaluated with respect to their land qualities and characteristics which are then matched with the requirements and limitations for irrigated rice using the FAO, (1985) rating for suitability. The results of the study revealed three (3) suitability classes via; moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable classes with some degree of limitations. However, the area has been found to be moderately suitable” because of the larger area covered by the moderately suitable mapping units compare to the marginally suitable and not suitable mapping units. The limitations identified are those of stoniness, slope, texture, nutrient availability and drainability. The appropriate recommended management practices suggested to overcome these limitation and upgrade the suitability of the mapping units for increased rice production are; application of inorganic fertilizer, improve the low levels of nutrients and organic matter contents of the soil in the area and other recommendations include land leveling and conservation measures to control the effects of
erosional hazards and slope steepness.

Keywords: Suitability, Evaluation and Irrigated rice.