Lakamo Liben1
Melese Ejamo
Abebawu Bergena
Tariku Simion
- Associate Researcher Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Researcher, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Research Directorate, Arba Minch Ethiopia
- Associate Researcher Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Researcher, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Research Directorate, Arba Minch Ethiopia
- Associate Researcher Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Researcher, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Research Directorate, Arba Minch Ethiopia
- Crop breeder Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Crop Directorate Arba Minch Ethiopia
Abstract
Sorghum is used as a source of food and cash for smallholder farmers in drought phrone areas of Gofa Zone. Farmers produce sorghum traditionally without proper management and input use and as a result yield obtained by farmers was far below the crop potential. Therefore, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center carried out a cluster-based large-scale demonstration of improved sorghum in Melo-Koza and Zala Districts of the Gofa Zone in Southern Ethiopia during the 2022/23 main cropping season to further demonstrate the improved sorghum technologies in wider scale. A total of 3 kebeles (2 from Melo- Koza and 1 from Zala) were selected based on potential of sorghum. A total of 103 farmers were chosen from two districts using a clustering approach, in partnership with Kebele development agents and district extension personnel, encompassing an 87.5-hectare area.Before conducting the demonstration, the farmers were organized into a Farmer Research Group and 146 participants (109 farmers and 37 other stakeholders) were trained from the 2 districts. Improved seeds were provided by the Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, and fertilizers and other chemicals were provided by farmers. A seed rate of 12 Kgha-1, with fertilizer rate of 100 Kgha-1 NPS and 50 Kgha-1 for UREA applied.
The row planting technique involved spacing rows 75 cm apart with plants placed 15 cm apart within each row.
. All other agronomic practices and farm activities were done by farmers based on the recommendations given with near help from Development Agents. Data was collected by measurements, interview and focus group discussion and also analyzed by using mean, percentage and perception score. The adjusted mean grain yield in Melo-Koza and Zala Districts was 3,710 Kg ha-1 and 3,966 Kg ha-1 respectively which was greater than districts average sorghum productivity. To popularize the technology demonstrated, field days were held in each district with the participation of various stake holders to exchange experiences. Extension materials like banners, posters, brochures and leaflets were used during the field day. Based on the feedback, demand for this technology was created. Therefore, the technology is recommended for other wider communities and districts that have the same problems and agro-ecology.
Keywords: Cluster, extension gap, Gofa, large scale, melkam variety, perception, sorghum
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Research & Reviews : Journal of Botany
| Volume | |
| Received | March 13, 2024 |
| Accepted | April 19, 2024 |
| Published | May 9, 2024 |