(a) Define the term irrigation. (b) List six sources of water for irrigation- (c) Give three reasons why irrigation schemes are necessary in Nigeria. (d) St...

(a) Define the term irrigation. (b) List six sources of water for irrigation- (c) Give three reasons why irrigation schemes are necessary in Nigeria. (d) State two similarities and three differences between sprinkler and surface irrigation

Answer Details

a) Irrigation is the process of artificially providing water to plants or crops to help them grow and thrive.

b) Six sources of water for irrigation include:

1. Rivers
2. Lakes
3. Wells
4. Rainwater harvesting
5. Groundwater
6. Dams and reservoirs

c) Three reasons why irrigation schemes are necessary in Nigeria are:

1. To increase crop yields:
2. To mitigate the effects of drought:
3. To support agriculture:

d) Similarities between sprinkler and surface irrigation:

1. Both methods of irrigation deliver water to crops to help them grow and thrive.
2. Both methods require a reliable source of water to be effective.

Differences between sprinkler and surface irrigation:

1. Sprinkler irrigation involves spraying water over the crops, while surface irrigation involves flooding the fields with water.
2. Sprinkler irrigation is more efficient in terms of water use, as it delivers water directly to the plant roots. Surface irrigation can result in water loss due to evaporation and runoff.
3. Sprinkler irrigation is more expensive to install and maintain than surface irrigation.