Irrigation as hazard: farmers' responses to the introduction of irrigation in Sokoto, Nigeria

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Book chapter

Title:	Irrigation as hazard: farmers' responses to the introduction of irrigation in Sokoto, Nigeria
Author:	Adams, W.M.
Book title:	Irrigation in tropical Africa; problems and problem solving
Year:	1983
Pages:	121-130
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Northern Nigeria
Subjects:	farmers irrigation
Abstract:	The project at Bakolori on the river Sokoto was begun in the early 1970s. Its aim was to control flood flows and to use the water for irrigation to offset the unpredictable environment. Ironically, in two ways the scheme has increased the uncertainty and, temporarily at least, reduced the productivity of the valley. First, there was a significant loss of productivity in the flood plain downstream. Second the introduction of irrigation has brought uncertainty and loss of production to the farmers. In its impact on the farmers the scheme is comparable to the familiar drought problem and it has led to the adoption of familiar strategies developed to survive the drought hazard. Ref., tab.