Saturday, June 22, 2019

The Role Of Government In Irrigation Support

By Roger Russell


Food security is an issue that is faced by many countries that do not receive a lot of rainfall. The best way through which this issue can be addressed is by reclaiming lands and encouraging farmers to water their crops. Irrigation support from the government will be required. The following are some of the roles played by the state in such projects.

When farmers are enlightened about the right procedures to follow and decisions to make in certain situations, they tend to have more yields. If this project is initiated in an area where farming has not been practiced before, a lot of training has to take place for interested people to know how irrigation will be done. The government sends extension officers that host educative seminars and meetings. They are also available for individual consultations.

The farmers also get to enjoy free or subsided supplies for their farms. Some people may be discouraged from investing in agriculture due to the cost of supplies like seedlings, fertilizers, and insecticides. When the government chips in some money to their projects, they get to pay less and some of the supplies may be offered at no charge. This makes the activity economical.

When farmers are assured of a market for their produce, they feel encouraged to work hard and produce more. Lack of ready market is a challenge that puts many people off due to the losses counted. In some cases, middlemen become the only option, and since they are known to exploit farmers, many people will not see the need to cultivate on large scale.

For this activity to be possible, there must be enough water. It is the role of the state to ensure that there is enough water in the areas where irrigation projects have been initiated. The body responsible for supplying this water should also be in a position to manage this resource. This means that the water should not be used inappropriately. There should be techniques to regulate the usage.

Technical help is also required. If machines like sprinklers are used, there will be the need for technicians to help the farmers with the installation and maintenance. Many people will be discouraged if they have to spend a lot of time looking for a professional to help them out. Professionals will also be involved in designing the proper layouts on the farms.

Extension officers do not just disappear after the first harvest has been successfully done. They will make follow-ups to ensure that activities are still being carried out in the right manner. This enables them to point out any areas experiencing negligence by the producers. They also get to learn about any new challenges that might arise with time and address them.

Research on the agricultural potential of an area is also facilitated by the government. This is through hiring professionals that have experience in testing soils, climates, and the surroundings to determine the best varieties that can be applied. The resources needed for such research are also provided by the state. With research, the right methods are adopted hence more yields.




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