Alternative Local Canal Lining Materials for sustainable Irrigation Practices
Murtala, A. A & Oyebode, Y. O.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology
Kwara State Polytechnic, P.M.B 1375, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Email: dejobode2006@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Studies were conducted on Agricultural Engineering Department demonstration farm to ascertain the applicability of low-cost materials for irrigation canal lining. Five treatments of the materials were employed as follows: (Laterite, clay, sandy loam, cow dung and sawdust), (Laterite, clay, sandy loam cowdung and maize chaff),(clay, sandy loam, cow dung, sand and cowpea chaff),(clay, sandyloam, cow dung and sand),concrete-(sand, gravel and cement) as control. These treatments were prepared and allowed to cure. As a guide in selecting suitable mixed ratio, the strength properties of the various materials were first tested in the laboratory using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Subsequently, seepage through different lining materials was measured on the field using the ponding method. The average seepage losses per day for the treatments, 1,2, 3,4,5, were 0.092, 0.098, 0.110, 0.102 and 0.016 m3/m2/day respectively. Results show that the appropriate local composite of laterite, clay, sandy, loam, cow dung and sawdust at the mixing ratio of 1:1:3:2:2: was found to have average seepage rate of 0.092m3/m2/day. These materials are not expensive and it can easily be afforded by the local farmers.
Keywords: Local materials, Canal lining, Sustainable irrigation practices.
