Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Irrigation Farming System for Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

This paper is a pilot investigation into irrigation activities and the need for areform to attain food security in Nigeria. Oke-Oyi irrigation project of theLower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin was chosen asepitome of irrigation projects in Nigeria. Structured questionnaire wereadministered on the 135 farmers participating in the project for detailedanalysis. Past and present project officers were also interviewed. Simplepercentages were used to summarize the data for discussion. The studyrevealed that the services of the irrigation agency is poor and grosslyinadequate, revenue from irrigation farming cannot meet the cost let aloneaiding further investment. The farmers do not have access to farm inputssuch as fertilizer and micro credit among others. The paper is of the opinionthat a reform in this sector will transform irrigation system towards a path ofsustainable food security.Key Words: Irrigation, vicious cycle, food, sustainable, securit