Evaluating the effects of poor scheduling in formal irrigated urban vegetable production projects in the Greater Accra region. A case study of Weija and Ashiaman irrigation schemes.
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Date
2021-06-17
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Abstract
Irrigation which is the artificial application of water into the soil is a major factor in increasing
the yield of produce, as compared to rain fed or weather dependent agriculture which is highly
unpredictable and unreliable. Irrigation scheduling is receiving increasing attention in
irrigation studies because of the need for adjustments in irrigation schemes that are scheduled
poorly. As per the literature review of this research, the irrigation scheduling is broken down
into duration of irrigation, timing of irrigation and frequency of irrigation.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of poor scheduling in formal irrigated urban
vegetable production in the Greater Accra region. The objectives of this study were, firstly, to
identify the types of irrigation mostly used as well as identifying the perception of the farmers
towards their current irrigation schedule (duration, timing and frequency of irrigation).
Secondly, to determine the factors that cause the poor scheduling as well as identifying the
mitigation factors to help control the situation. The third objective looked to determine and
evaluate the effects of the poor scheduling on the farmers.
The simple random sampling technique was used in the study. Questionnaires were sent to the
farmers under the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA). Specifically the Weija
irrigation scheme and the Ashiaman irrigation scheme. (10) Questionnaires each were sent to
both Weija and Ashiaman summing up a sample size of (20). Results gathered were (19), which
was used in conducting the research analysis. Data that was collected from the study was
analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (IBM SPSS).
From the results obtained from the first objective, sprinkler irrigation systems was the most
commonly used and a large majority of the farmers were not happy with the duration and
frequency of their current irrigation schedule. While majority of the farmers were content with
the timing of the irrigation schedule (mornings). For the second objective the results showed
that according to the farmers, the main cause of the poor scheduling of irrigation was due to
the frequent breakdown of pumps with 42.9% of the farmers in support of that. The results
obtained for the final objective of this study showed that the major effect of the poor scheduling
is the reduction of income of farmers. In conclusion, there is the need for proper irrigation
scheduling in order to improve the productivity levels of the farmers
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Construction Technology and
Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award Degree of
Master of Science in Project Management
Keywords
Irrigation, Irrigation Scheduling, Frequency, Duration