Performance Evaluation of Portable Sprinkler Irrigation System in Ilorin, Nigeria

The global climate change and its attendant effect on scarce water resources have further reduced the amount of water available for agriculture. Under this circumstance, the use of pressurized irrigation systems can be an option of enhancing the efficiency of water consumption. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the performance of a new portable sprinkler system purchased by the lower Niger river basin development authority, Ilorin, Nigeria. Catch can test were carried out to determine the performance of irrigation applied with the portable sprinkler irrigation systems under field conditions. The tests were carried out using ASABE (2009) standard procedures. The coefficient of uniformity (CU) was used to compute the uniformity of sprinkler water application on the field; while the delivery performance ratio (DPR) was used to quantify the efficiency of the management inputs of the sprinkler system. Results of the field evaluation indicated that the average CU and DPR of the system were 86% and 87%, respectively, indicating satisfactory performance of the sprinkler system. Emanating from the study were a set of performance guidelines and recommendations for the design and management of sprinkler irrigation systems necessary for the achievement of optimum performance.