Assessing crop water productivity at Nyanyadzi smallholder irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Lecturer, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

2 Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

This study determines the effects of variations in relative water supply (RWS) on bean and wheat crop water productivity (WP) under irrigation in Block C at Nyanyadzi irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe. Water supply, bean and wheat crop yield data spanning 17 cropping seasons from 1970 to 2003 were obtained from the irrigation scheme files. Research findings show a weak and significant (R2=0.448, p = 0.006) quadratic relationshipbetween bean WP and RWS. Whereas, for the wheat crop, the relationship WP and RWS is a linear and significant (R2 = 0.438, p = 0.004). Based on the research findings, the study recommends the measures to improve water supply and therefore, crop production. These include among others, switching to more drought tolerant crop varieties that require less water, rainfall harvesting, water conservation measures to retain soil water and, use of more efficient water application methods.

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Main Subjects

References

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Water Productivity Journal
Volume 1, Issue 4
2021
Pages 13-24

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