Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of Irrigation Scheme Performance in Kebbi State

Large-scale irrigation schemes in North West Nigeria are critical infrastructure for dry season agriculture but frequently underperform due to water distribution inefficiencies and poor monitoring. This study assesses the performance of the Kainji Irrigation Scheme in Kebbi State using multi-temporal Sentinel-2 imagery and GIS analysis. The Crop Water Satisfaction Index and irrigated area fraction are computed from vegetation indices to evaluate seasonal crop performance across irrigation blocks. Spatial comparison between the designed command area and actually irrigated extents reveals discrepancies in water distribution across the scheme. Waterlogging and soil salinity stress are detected using spectral indices including the Salinity Index and the Wetness Component of the Tasseled Cap Transformation. Results indicate that only 61 percent of the designed command area receives consistent irrigation during the dry season, with peripheral blocks farthest from canal outlets consistently underperforming. The study recommends GIS-integrated canal management and the application of satellite monitoring in the Kebbi State Agricultural Development Project's irrigation programme. Keywords: irrigation, remote sensing, Kebbi State, Sentinel-2, scheme performance