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Research Article
Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of In-situ Rain Water Harvesting Technology with Sorghum Production in West Hararghe Zone
Adem Hirpo*,
Gemechu Terefe,
Fekede Gemechu,
Nimona Sime,
Gemechu Ayala
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
69-75
Received:
17 April 2024
Accepted:
11 June 2024
Published:
31 July 2024
Abstract: The study was conducted in Daro Lebu and Hawi Gudina districts of West Hararghe zone with objective of evaluating the performance of In-situ water harvesting technologies with sorghum production under farmers’ condition. Haroresa kile and Ibsa kebeles were selected based on water deficit and potential sorghum production. 4 farmers from Haroresa kile and 3 farmers from Ibsa were participated on the experiment. 10m by 10m area was used and planted side by side on structure verses without structure. The Structure was constructed with 30cm depth, 30cm width and tied ridge at 3m interval and seed was placed on center at 15cm. Melkam Sorghum variety was planted using 75cm *25cm plant spacing. Yield, farmers’ preference and production cost were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics, simple ranking method and cost benefit analysis respectively. Training and mini-field day were organized to promote In-situ water harvesting on Sorghum production. Farmers selected Structure Technology by stay green, stay moist, drought tolerance, disease tolerance and head size. 47Qtha-1 and 45.2Qtha-1grain yield were obtained from Sorghum planted with structure and without structure respectively, with 4% yield advantage over without structure. Production of Sorghum variety with structure and without structure generated an income of 169, 250 birr ha-1 and 167, 050 birr ha-1, respectively. Based on farmers’ preferences and profitability of the technology, planting sorghum with tied ridge/structure/ was recommended for water deficit areas of west Hararghe zone and similar agro-ecologies to increase production and productivity of sorghum.
Abstract: The study was conducted in Daro Lebu and Hawi Gudina districts of West Hararghe zone with objective of evaluating the performance of In-situ water harvesting technologies with sorghum production under farmers’ condition. Haroresa kile and Ibsa kebeles were selected based on water deficit and potential sorghum production. 4 farmers from Haroresa kil...
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Research Article
The Status and Challenges of Contract Farming Engagement in Gimbo District, Kafa Zone, South West Ethiopia People’s Region, Ethiopia
Dereje Abebe Wubie*
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
76-89
Received:
31 May 2024
Accepted:
16 July 2024
Published:
6 August 2024
Abstract: Contract farming has long been used in industrialized nations' agricultural production systems as a system of institutions to help smallholder farmers commercialize their farms in an effort to increase revenue and reduce poverty. This study aimed to assess the state of contract farming and challenges of engagement in Gimbo District, Kafa Zone, South West Ethiopia People’s Region, Ethiopia. A focus group discussion, observations, key informant interviews with fifteen experts and authorities, and surveys of 361 farm households were used to collect data. The study revealed that the productivity of coffee improved from 3-4 qt/ha to the average productivity of about 10 qt/ha and the price of coffee improved from 7 birr/kg to 19 birr/kg. This suggests a considerable increase in production and price improvement resulting from the adoption of contract farming. According to the study, the local community benefited from 345 temporary and 44 permanent jobs that were established by contract farming operations in the study area. According to the report, external variables posed challenges to contract farming initiatives in the research area. These external factors included lacking of a legislative instrument that serves as a guide, the lack of infrastructure, the inadequate assistance of governmental organizations, and the failure to integrate the necessary stakeholders to support the sectors. Thus, the study recommended that the government should focus on raising awareness, enhancing extension services and organizational setup, ensuring transparency and accountability in the contract process, and improving financial services.
Abstract: Contract farming has long been used in industrialized nations' agricultural production systems as a system of institutions to help smallholder farmers commercialize their farms in an effort to increase revenue and reduce poverty. This study aimed to assess the state of contract farming and challenges of engagement in Gimbo District, Kafa Zone, Sout...
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Research Article
Farmer’s Knowledge on Utilization of Chemical Fertilizers as Soil Fertility Enhancement Option in Ruhumuro Sub-County, Bushenyi District
Wilfred Namara*,
Fina Opio,
Douglas Nkuuhe
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
90-101
Received:
4 July 2024
Accepted:
29 July 2024
Published:
15 August 2024
Abstract: The study focused on assessing the farmer’s knowledge on utilization of chemical fertilizers as soil fertility enhancement option in Ruhumuro sub-county, Bushenyi district. It was limited to; establishing the local farmers’knowledge on the use of chemical fertilizers, investigating the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to utilize chemical fertilizers and establishing the benefits that local farmers achieve from utilizing chemical fertilizers. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and primary data was collected from 200 respondents. the data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The study concluded that farmers had local knowledge on use of chemical fertilizers where they revealed that, fertilizer use is influenced by on agro-climatic conditions and farm characteristics at (p=.027), profitability is the principal incentive to adopt fertilizer use at (p=.021), fertilizer use ensure high productivity and yields at (p=.003). The decisions on fertilizer use has mainly considered credit access and price at (p=.026) Fertilizer use alter the soil properties at p= (.029). Fertilizer applied to farmers’ crops do not provide optimal economic returns to farmers as (p=.312) as non-significant. The study also concluded that there were factors that influence the farmers’ decisions to utilize chemical fertilizers. Such as; ownership of land (p=.022), labour avialability (p=.024), Cost of the fertilizers (p=.004) and un-availability of credit services/financial institutions offering services (p=.028). Non-significant factors included; farming experience and level of education (p=.427, p=.369). The study concluded that there were benefits that local farmers achieve from utilizing chemical fertilizers. Such as; Restoration of soil fertility (x2 = 3.002, p=0.021), Sustainable food production (x2 = 2.441, p=0.001), Income security (x2 = 0.871, p= 0.010), Improvement of crop yields (x2 = 3.123, p=0.023) and Contribute to greenhouse effect (x2 = 4.211, p=0.141) which was not significant. The study recommends that, there is a need for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to consider the social, economic, and environmental implications of the widespread use of chemical fertilizers. Constant extension training services on chemical fertilizer use should be done to help farmers use the recommended dosage of fertilizers to avoid environmental degradation due to lack of adequate knowledge on fertilizer utilization. Government should undertake legal reforms to recognize and protect the rights of vulnerable groups to own and use land. They should also put in place mechanisms to ensure that the law is enforced.
Abstract: The study focused on assessing the farmer’s knowledge on utilization of chemical fertilizers as soil fertility enhancement option in Ruhumuro sub-county, Bushenyi district. It was limited to; establishing the local farmers’knowledge on the use of chemical fertilizers, investigating the factors that influence farmers’ decisions to utilize chemical f...
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Research Article
Pre Extension Demonstration of Soil Test Crop Response Based Recommended Phosphorus Fertilizer for Maize in Bako Tibe and Gobu Sayo Districts of Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Bayisa Baye*,
Negash Teshome,
Lemi Gebre Kidan
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
102-110
Received:
20 May 2024
Accepted:
28 June 2024
Published:
20 August 2024
Abstract: Pre-extension demonstration of soil test crop response based phosphorus fertilizer recommendation for maize was conducted in Bako Tibe and Gobu Sayo districts with the objective of participatory demonstration of soil test crop response based phosphorus recommendation under farmers’ condition in 2022 cropping season. Two treatments were applied (T1) blanket Recommendation (T2) Soil Test crop response based recommended phosphorus fertilizer with improved maize (BH-661) variety. The trial was conducted on eleven farmers’ fields which were used as replications. Plot size for each treatment was 10m x 20m with the spacing of 35cm and 75cm between plants and rows respectively using seed rate of 25 kg ha-1 and with recommended optimum N-fertilizer rate of 110 kg ha-1. In each PAs, one FREG unit comprising of 20 farmers were established. About 185 (139 male and 46 female) participants were take part on field visit based training held during physiological maturity of maize. The average total biomass with soil test crop response based Recommended phosphorus fertilizer was 32,385 kgha-1 while blanket recommendation was 27,730 kgha-1. Again the average grain yield for STCRBPR was 7,205kg ha-1 while blanket recommendation was 4,641kg ha-1. Similarly, the results of the economic analysis indicated that the use of p-fertilizer based on soil test crop response and the blanket suggestion with MRR 500.93% could yield net returns of 188,029.36 and 119348 ETB per hectare, respectively. As a result, the suggested phosphorus fertilizer based on soil test crop response should be expanded/scaled up to include additional maize producer farmers in the region and surrounding districts.
Abstract: Pre-extension demonstration of soil test crop response based phosphorus fertilizer recommendation for maize was conducted in Bako Tibe and Gobu Sayo districts with the objective of participatory demonstration of soil test crop response based phosphorus recommendation under farmers’ condition in 2022 cropping season. Two treatments were applied (T1)...
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