Application of Geographic Information Systems in Irrigation Scheme Planning in North West Nigeria

This study examines the application of geographic information systems and remote sensing in the planning and management of irrigation schemes in North West Nigeria, assessing current adoption levels and the potential for improved planning outcomes from wider GIS use. Irrigation scheme planning traditionally relies on manual topographic surveys and land use assessments that are time-consuming, expensive, and limited in spatial coverage. GIS and remote sensing offer more efficient alternatives for site suitability analysis, scheme layout design, water resource assessment, and scheme performance monitoring. This study uses a mixed-method design, reviewing GIS use in six major irrigation scheme planning projects in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kano States, supplemented by interviews with 25 irrigation engineers and scheme planners from the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority and related agencies. GIS capacity assessments document hardware, software, and human resources available for spatial planning. Findings reveal that GIS is used in only 3 of the 6 reviewed projects and predominantly for basic map production rather than analytical planning functions. Soil suitability mapping, groundwater assessment, and catchment analysis are rarely performed using GIS methods. Human resource capacity in GIS skills is the primary adoption barrier. The study concludes that GIS adoption for irrigation planning in North West Nigeria is significantly below its potential. It recommends GIS training programmes for irrigation engineers, centralised spatial data repositories, and standard GIS planning protocols for all new scheme development projects.

Keywords: GIS, irrigation planning, North West Nigeria, remote sensing, scheme management.