Water scarcity in agriculture is becoming a major problem due to increasing demand from nonagricultural uses and intensive crop management on existing croplands to meet the needs of an expanding global population. Efficient use of the available irrigation water is therefore of important concern. Even though intensive research in the areas of crop physiology, irrigation engineering, agronomy and agricultural economics has developed several ways to improve the efficiency of irrigation water, a multidisciplinary approach is often regarded as the best future path to achieve further enhancements in meeting the forthcoming challenge of producing more and safety foods. Failure of irrigation production has profound effects on the welfare of all those employed in it and also their customers. Indeed, the scale of the industry is such that world food prices will be influenced by the overall performance of the irrigation farmers, but low food prices are essential to the welfare of the poorest people. The contribution of irrigation and water management to increased food production must come through both expansion of irrigation and improved management of existing water supplies. This review presents the past, current and future panorama of irrigation as a viable tool in ensuring food security on the globe. Considering past trends, this review empathizes that future irrigation technologies should be focused on providing the leadership and capacity to capture, develop and promote new irrigation practices and management systems to optimize production.

Irrigated agriculture for food self-sufficiency in the sub-Saharan African region

Journal to Publish Research Papers in the field of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology. It is DOI peer reviewed online journal.

Hydraulic performance characteristics of impact sprinkler with a fixed water dispersion device

Agriculture has predominantly been observed as the activity of men with little or no interest by women hence this study was conducted in two public senior high schools in the Assin South district of the Central region of Ghana aimed to investigate gender differences in attitude towards the learning of agricultural science. A sample of 198, comprising of 188 students and 10 teachers of agricultural science took part in the survey. The research instrument used for the data collection was questionnaire which was developed by the researchers in two different forms, one for the agricultural science students and the other for the agricultural science teachers. Research findings from the study indicated that gender had no significant influence on students’ attitude towards the learning of agricultural science. Also, the attitude of female students towards agricultural science as a profession is not different from that of the male students. The study again concluded that teachers and parents play a key role influencing students to pursue related science courses. However students should be given the room to express their choice of programme to pursue at the senior high level. It must be reiterated that teachers have a major role to play in increasing and sustaining the interest of students in the study of agricultural science. The study recommends that students especially females should be encouraged, towards building a positive attitude in learning of agricultural science to take up major future roles related to the field.

The study was conducted in selected Public Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis aimed at investigating the challenges in the teaching and learning of Agricultural Science. In all a sample of 78 respondents involving 60 Agricultural Science students and 18 Agricultural Science teachers were involved. The research instrument used for the data collection was questionnaire which was developed by the researcher in two different forms, one for the Agricultural Science students and the other for the Agricultural science teachers. Research findings from the study indicated that the major challenges facing the teaching and learning of Agricultural Science include frequent use of lecture method in teaching, large class size and poor remuneration of teachers. Others include inadequate teaching and learning materials and their availability, difficulty in planning field trips as well as laziness and truancy on the part of teachers. However, it must be emphasized that motivational factors such as one’s own interest, having a role model, future ambitions and the supply of adequate textbooks positively affect the teaching and learning of Agricultural Science in Public Senior High Schools in the Metropolis. The study recommends that parents must be educated to understand the important role and prospects the learning of Agricultural Science contributes to the development of a country. Also the Government, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and other stakeholders must help to improve the service of Agricultural Science Teachers.