International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research (IJASR) ISSN 2250-0057 Vol. 2 Issue 4 Dec 2012 111-120 Š TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.,
CHALLENGES OF UPSCALING WATER PROVISION AMONG FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA ENWELU. I. A Department of Agricultural Extension University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT The study highlighted the challenges of upscaling water provision among farm households in selected rural communities of Enugu State. Interview schedule was developed and administered to 114 respondents. The study revealed that the main natural source of water to the communities was streams which were located far from the communities. This posed enormous challenges to average farm households in the communities in terms of health, socio-cultural and economic activities of the people. The mechanisms for upscaling water provision through other sources were: water vendors (through motor tankers), rainwater harvesting and ponds. The main challenges in upscaling water provision in the communities were finance, labour and water pollution. High level of effects of water scarcity was expressed in the areas of disease outbreaks, thirst/hunger/starvation, poor sanitary condition, reduction in household income etc. The study concluded that finance, labour and environmental pollution were the main challenges in upscaling water provision in the communities.
KEY WORDS: Challenges, Farm Households, Mechanism, Provision, Upscaling, Water INTRODUCTION Water is crucial for existence and optimal performance of every living thing. According to Nigerian National Policy on Water Resources (NPWR) (2004), water is central to life and civilization. Among the five basic human needs (water, food, health, education and peace) water is a common factor to the other four. Enwere and Ani (2011, 73-79) stressed that reduction in food production, changes in quality and quantity of foods and the characteristics of the natural micro-flora of foodstuffs and environments is a function of water. Thus, water quality and availability poses great challenges to food processing in Nigeria. The efficiency of food production is currently measured on the basis of a unit increase in the volume of water. It is also a very important factor in settlement development in any country where it usually serves as human settlement boundaries (NPWR, 2004). Nigeria had made considerable investment in water schemes and related activities. However, the desire to improve access to this resource was becoming more and more elusive because of the rapidly increasing demand for water. This rise in demand that was outstripping supply is consequent upon high population growth rate of 1.94% (CIA World Fact Book 2011) coupled with increasing urbanization and rising living condition as a result of economic growth. Other challenges facing Nigeria with respect to managing its water resources are shortages of water in urban and rural areas, competing water uses, lower level of irrigation, degrading watersheds and water courses, fragmented and uncoordinated water resources development, poor data and lack of cooperation on co-riparian use of international waters (NPWR, 2004). In Enugu state, some communities are not naturally endowed with water resources. Farm households are adversely affected by scarcity of water. The situation is chaotic during the dry season. Farming which is the main occupation of rural dwellers almost grounds to a halt because of cessation of rainfall and lack of irrigation facilities. People resort to non farm activities and in some cases few watershed resources are devastated by hungry men and women (including the youths). They embark on excessive excavation of sand/stones at the river beds/banks, deforesting trees and