ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN ORIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGBOMOSO OYO SATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the effects of irrigation system on maize production in the study area. Multistage sampling was used to select the respondents for this study. The data for this research work was collected through administration of a wellstructured questionnaire. Descriptive statistic was used to describe the socio economic characteristics of the respondents while multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis for the study. The mean age was 52 years, most of them were married, most of them had formal education, with an average of 10 years of experience in primary occupation while more of male engaged in irrigated maize production in the study area. The mean farm size under cultivation was 11.5 hectares while the mean farm size under maize production was found to be 6.21hectares. Most of them engaged in surface irrigation system. The fact that irrigation provides the means for maximize production with multiple cropping was the most widely identified benefits associated with irrigation system while insufficient water resources was the most widely identified problems associated with utilization of irrigation system. The total cost of N31305.71 was spent on all the production inputs while the total was found to be N181113.57. Based on the finding, it was concluded that maize production under irrigation system is highly profitable despite some constraints such as poor access to water resources. More effort should be made by all stakeholders in agriculture and water resources management through adequate water management practices so as to allow for year round availability of water for irrigation purposes to increase yield especially during the dry season.