Assessment of the Impact of Irrigation Development on Crop Diversification in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria

Irrigation infrastructure has long been promoted as a mechanism to reduce smallholder dependence on rainfed agriculture and enable year-round crop production in semi-arid environments. In Jigawa State, investment in small-scale irrigation schemes has supported dry-season farming, though the extent to which these schemes facilitate crop diversification remains inadequately documented. This study assessed the impact of irrigation development on crop diversification among farmers in Jigawa State. A sample of 100 farmers, comprising both irrigated and non-irrigated farm operators, was selected from two major irrigation scheme communities and two rainfed communities across three local government areas. Data on crop types cultivated, planting calendars, market orientation, and income were collected through structured questionnaires. The Simpson Diversity Index and regression analysis were applied. Results indicated that irrigated farmers cultivated a significantly wider range of crops per season, including vegetables, wheat, and cowpea, compared to rainfed farmers who concentrated primarily on sorghum and millet. Crop diversification was positively correlated with household income and market access. However, inadequate water scheduling and scheme maintenance were identified as constraints limiting full diversification potential. The study recommends strengthening water users' association governance and improving access to market information for irrigated smallholders. Keywords: irrigation, crop diversification, Jigawa State, rainfed agriculture, smallholder farmers.