https://doi.org/10.65770/AUYD6666
ABSTRACT
This study examines the impact of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering on water resource management in Nigeria, emphasizing the effectiveness of existing systems, engineering interventions, environmental challenges, and improvement strategies. A survey of 200 respondents provided insights into irrigation and water management practices and perceptions of engineering solutions. Findings indicate that only 10% rated existing systems as very effective, 25% as effective, and 30% as moderately effective, while 25% and 10% viewed them as ineffective and very ineffective, respectively. On the role of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering in optimizing water usage, 40% deemed it significant, 30% very significant, and 20% moderately significant. Key environmental challenges included soil erosion (25%), drought and irregular rainfall (22.5%), deforestation (20%), flooding (17.5%), and pollution (15%). Engineering interventions were rated effective by 42.5% and very effective by 27.5% in reducing water wastage and degradation. Proposed strategies encompassed adopting modern irrigation technologies (30%), watershed and soil conservation (25%), building retention ponds and dams (22.5%), employing remote sensing and monitoring (15%), and stakeholder training (7.5%). The research underscores Agricultural and Environmental Engineering’s crucial role in boosting water efficiency, mitigating challenges, and promoting sustainable agriculture in Nigeria. It recommends integrating modern practices, technologies, and capacity-building to enhance water use, curb degradation, and ensure sustainability. Based on these findings, governments and stakeholders should prioritize upgrading irrigation infrastructure to improve efficiency and minimize waste.
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