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Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge of Agricultural Water Budgeting Practices

Abstract

Agricultural water budgeting involves estimating available water resources, determining crop water requirements, and planning the allocation and use of water throughout the farming season. Effective water budgeting is important for improving water-use efficiency, reducing unnecessary water losses, and supporting appropriate irrigation and farm production decisions. Farmers’ knowledge of water budgeting practices can therefore contribute to the sustainable management of agricultural water resources, particularly in areas where water availability is limited or variable. This study will assess farmers’ knowledge of agricultural water budgeting practices. The study will examine farmers’ understanding of water availability, crop water requirements, irrigation needs, water allocation, seasonal water planning, and methods of estimating water use on farms. It will also assess the extent to which farmers understand the importance of comparing available water resources with expected crop water requirements when making farm irrigation decisions. The study will focus on farmers’ knowledge of water budgeting principles, estimation of available water, crop water requirements, irrigation water requirements, rainfall contribution, water allocation, water-use estimation, irrigation scheduling, seasonal water planning, and water-loss management. It will also consider farmers’ sources of agricultural water management information and their exposure to extension education on efficient water planning and utilization. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from selected farmers using structured questionnaires designed to assess their knowledge of agricultural water budgeting practices. The data will be analysed using frequency distributions, percentages, mean scores, standard deviation, correlation analysis, and other appropriate statistical techniques to determine farmers’ knowledge levels and identify patterns in their understanding of water budgeting practices. The study is expected to reveal varying levels of knowledge among farmers regarding agricultural water budgeting practices. Farmers may demonstrate greater knowledge of basic water-use planning while showing knowledge gaps in areas such as estimating crop water requirements, calculating irrigation needs, accounting for rainfall contribution, and planning water allocation across different farm activities. The study may also indicate that access to agricultural extension information, irrigation experience, and participation in water management activities are associated with farmers’ knowledge of agricultural water budgeting. The study will be useful to farmers, agricultural extension agents, irrigation authorities, water-resource management agencies, agricultural development organizations, policymakers, and researchers. It may provide useful information for identifying specific areas where farmers require additional education and technical support on agricultural water planning. The findings may also assist extension agencies in developing practical training programmes that improve farmers’ capacity to estimate, allocate, and manage available water resources efficiently. The study concludes that farmers’ knowledge of agricultural water budgeting practices is important for effective farm water management because adequate knowledge can support better planning and efficient utilization of available water resources. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies and relevant water management authorities strengthen farmer education on water budgeting, crop water requirements, irrigation planning, water allocation, and water-use estimation to promote efficient and sustainable agricultural water management.

Keywords: Agricultural water budgeting, farmers’ knowledge, water management, irrigation planning, crop water requirements, water allocation, water-use efficiency, agricultural extension, irrigation water, water availability, seasonal water planning, water-use estimation, farm water management, water conservation, sustainable agriculture.