Economic Evaluation of a Medi-Emitter Drip Irrigated Onion in Jos-North, Plateau- Nigeria

Abstract

The use of Medi-emitter gravity drip irrigation systems is gradually gaining popularity in Northern Nigeria. Medical infusion set was used in place of the conventional emitter to provide discharge. In the study reported herein, a field experiments was carried out at the federal college of forestry research Farm during 2016/2017 irrigation season to evaluate the yield response and economic return of a Medi-emitter drip irrigated onion. The field experiment consisted of four treatments replicated three times. The treatments comprises of a control treatment which was given full irrigation (irrigated at 100 % water requirement) and others at 25, 50, and 75% water with respect to water requirement of onion crop in the study area, when water deficit was imposed on the onion crop at 75, 50 and 25% the corresponding yield reductions were 12, 24 and 30% with respect to when 0% deficit was imposed on the onion crop The highest bulb yield value of 32.62 t/ha was obtained when null deficit was imposed on the onion crop, while the lowest bulb yield value of 23.08 t/ha was obtained when 75% deficit of water required was imposed on the crop.The highest revenue, profit and benefit- cost ratio of N 4,893,000; N 3,069,987 and 1.68, respectively were recorded for treatment T1(100%), while the lowest revenue, profit and benefit- cost ratio of N 3,462,000; N 1,652,637 and 0.91, respectively, were recorded for treatment T4 (25%).When the overall economic performances of the Medi-emitter drip irrigated maize at different irrigation level were compared in terms of B/C ratio, T1(100%) treatment resulted in higher per cent of B/C ratio value of 1.68 compared to others. However, in terms of benefit-cost ratio, treatment T4 (25%) is not economically viable a project to carry out by a farmer in the study area since the B/C is less than unity. Furthermore, when there is severe water scarcity farmers should adopt 50% deficit to achieve economically sustainable onion production.