Pre-extension demonstration and evaluation of Melkassa maize varieties in selected AGP-II districts of Harari region and Dire Dawa administration (Published)
Pre-extension demonstration and evaluation of early maturing maze varieties with the objectives of promoting and popularizing was conducted in the production season of 2017/2018. The activity was also initiated with additional objectives of creating awareness, improving farmers’ knowledge and skills through training and enhancing stakeholders’ participation. A total of fifteen (15) trial farmers were selected from two potential Maize growing kebeles of Dire Dawa administration and one from Harari region. Three FREG having 45 farmers were established each kebele .Two improved maize varieties (Melkassa-2 and Melkassa-6) were planted on a plot of 40mx40m per variety. Trial farmers were used as replication. Training on which a total of 39 participants and field day on which 107 participants took part were also organized at Dire Dawa and Harari region. Melkassa maize varieties were evaluated based on their early maturity, yield and disease tolerance. Agronomic data and yield data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Based on the yield data 21.6qt/ha and 23.6 qt/ha were obtained from Melkassa-6 and Melkassa-2 varieties respectively.Melkassa-2 has 9.3% yield advantage over Melkassa-6. Thus Melkassa-2 ranked first by yield, Melkassa-6 second and both varieties are recommended for scaling up.
Keywords: Dire Dawa and Harari districts, Melkassa Maize, improved varieties
Demonstration of improved potato varieties at Koffele District, West Arsi Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia (Published)
The study was carried out at Guchi and Hulabera peasant association/Kebele of Kofale District west Arsi Zone, Oromiya Ethiopia. The study was carried with the intension to transfer the potato production technology to increase production. The district is among the potential area for potato production in the west Arsi Zone. From the two kebeles, 14 farmers were selected 7 from each kebele based on their interest to participate in the demonstration activity. Two varieties of potato Belete and Gudanie varieties, those are suitable for high lands of Ethiopia were used in the study with Local variety as reference. All participant farmers were interested and allocated 100m2 for intended experiment. Seed were planted based on its recommended rate and NPS fertilizer was used 195kg/ha. All necessary data qualitative and quantitative were collected starting from the time of planting to harvesting stage. Participatory field visiting was conducted with the participation of farmers, agricultural development agent workers and researchers. Descriptive statistics like mean and tabulation for yield data analysis and also independent t-statistics for yield comparison of the experiment were used. Qualitative data collected during field observation and after yield data collection were analyzed by means of summarization. In addition to the varieties yield for comparison partial budget analysis was used for profitability study. Based on the study result, Belete has more yield advantage than the other. However, in terms of test and market prefer ability Gudanie was preferred. Although Belete has more yield advantage as compared with the other, the yield advantage between Belete and Gudanie was insignificant as compared to the yield difference between Belete and Local. Interms of partial budget analysis, Gudanie was ranked first thus based on the aggregate result Gudanie was recommended for further production and popularization in the study area.
Keywords: Demonstration, district, improved varieties, potato