Journal of Innovative Agriculture, Volume 9, Issue 3 : 40-46 . Doi : 10.37446/jinagri/rsa/9.3.2022.40-46

Research Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 30-Sep-2022

Pre-extension demonstration of blended fertilizer rate for maize crop production in Debub Ari Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

• Dilamo Adila Hando
• Southern Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 06, hawassa, Ethiopia.

Kassahun Kabata Gemayda
• Jinka Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 96, Jinka Ethiopia.

Abstract

The demonstration was conducted with aim to introduce new rate of blended fertilizer on maize crop and to enhance farmers’ awareness toward new practice. Sites and host farmers selection were undertaken purposively by researcher jointly with agricultural experts of the corresponding woreda. The demonstration was carried out on five farmers’ and one FTC’s field in each kebele, and two plots per farmer’s and FTC’s fields were used. Totally, 105 participants were participated on training and field day events. Farmers’ preference and cost data were collected using individual interview whereas sample of grain yield data was collected from each plot per farmers using weight measurement. Participatory on-field performance evaluation was conducted and feedbacks from participant farmers, agricultural experts and stakeholder were collected during field day. Farmer’s preference evaluation results showed that, field performance of maize crop under new rate (100 NPSB + 260 Urea) kgha^-1of blended fertilizer was more preferred to the existing extension practices. Yield performance result revealed that, better grain yield of 4.78t ha^-1 was obtained from maize crop under new practice with yield advantage of 12.47% compared to existing extension practice. So, use of new rate of blended fertilizer enhances maize productivities in the area. Therefore, conducting further scaling up and popularization of the practice is recommended in areas with similar soil type and agro-ecology

Keywords

blended fertilizer, demonstration, extension practice, farmers’ preference

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