Cluster-based large-scale demonstration of improved sesame technology through irrigation was done in the Bena-Tsemay district of South Omo zone, Belg season. A total of 22 agro-pastorals participated in the demonstration and one pastoral and agro-pastoral research group containing 16 members was established to share experiences with each other starting from planting to harvesting. The demonstration was done on a land size of 10 hectares in a cluster base. Participatory training was given to all participants on important agronomic practices and management measures. All the recommended agronomic management was applied with close supervision and follow-up of researchers. Agronomic data and grain yield was collected and analyzed. Accordingly, an average grain yield data of 0.725 tons ha-1 was obtained. Feedback was also collected from participants and they preferred the technology based on its early maturity, yield per plant, branch per plant, disease resistance, pod per plant, seed color, marketability, and overall yield. Thus, using this improved sesame (Mehando-80) variety with its agronomics management is advisable.
Linseed is one of the oilseed crops introduced earlier in Ethiopia and is currently grown widely next to sesame and noug. The demand for linseed oil production and home consumption increased and needs production enhancement by providing the ideal varieties for the growers. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the performance of newly released linseed varieties in the agroecology of the West Shewa zone of the Oromia region and identify the highest yielders and a stable variety for the farmers of the area. A total of six improved varieties, including local check, were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications at three districts of the West Shewa zone during the 2020/2021 cropping season. The analysis of variance over multi-locations revealed that varieties across locations were significantly (p≤0.01) different for phenological traits like days to flower and maturity. Likewise, locations induced a significant variation for all traits evaluated. From the mean performance varieties, Yadeno and Kulumsa-1 gave the highest seed yield of 1641.4Kgha-1 and 1516.7Kgha-1, respectively. Besides, variety Yadeno showed a consistence performance across all locations. Thus these two high-yielder varieties have to be demonstrated and promoted to the farmers of the West Shewa zone to enhance the production of linseed.
The economy of the South Omo Zone heavily relies on livestock and crop production, but there are multiple challenges and constraints that are affecting these sectors. It is important to identify these issues at the grassroots level because the approach of delivering agricultural technologies from the top-down is not effective. This study was conducted to assess agricultural production and productivity constraints and opportunities in the Dasenech and Nyagatom districts of Ethiopia. To achieve the intended purpose, one Kebele was chosen from each district, and one pastoral and agro-pastoral research and extension group (PAPREG), which consisted of about 25 agro-pastoralists (15 males and ten females) was formed after conducting a community meeting. The existing crop varieties, productivity per hectare, prevailing agronomic practices, existing livestock breeds, livestock feed bases, animal husbandry system, agricultural technological demands and crop and livestock production constraints, and opportunities were important issues forwarded to PAPREG members. The results showed that a shortage of improved crop varieties and gasoline was ranked first and second in both districts, while drought was ranked third in Dasenech and sixth in Nyagatom district. Crop diseases and pests were ranked fifth in both districts, and a lack of awareness of improved agronomic practices was ranked third in Nyagatom and sixth in Dasench district. The agro-pastoralists in both districts were ranked feed shortages, animal disease and parasite prevalence, and limited access to veterinary services as first, second and third, respectively. In Dasench, the lack of improved breed and forage seeds was ranked fourth, while in Nyagatom, it was fifth. The Dasenech pastoralists strongly preferred cultivating improved Panicum grass, whereas the Nygatom preferred cultivating improved sorghum. The availability of fertile farmland and the sustainable Omo River present important opportunities for small-scale producers and investors. Based on the findings, efforts should be made to boost agricultural production and productivity by introducing improved crop and forage varieties, managing diseases and pests, improving indigenous breeds, strengthening veterinary drug supply services, developing improved forage banking systems, and providing capacity-building services.
Cluster-based large-scale demonstration of improved sorghum technology through irrigation was done with the objective of demonstrating and popularizing improved sorghum technology in the Bena-Tsemay district of the South Omo zone. A total of 17 agro-pastoralists participated in the demonstration, and one pastoral and agro-pastoral research and extension group containing 27 members was established. The demonstration took place on a 10-hectare plot of land in a cluster base. Participatory training was given to all participants on important agronomic practices and management measures. Researchers applied all the recommended agronomic and management practices with close supervision and follow-up. Both qualitative data like agro-pastoral perception and agronomic data, and quantitative data like grain yield were collected and analyzed. Cost-benefit ratio was also calculated to see the economic feasibility of sorghum production. The result indicated that the mean grain yield of sorghum production was 2.65 tons per hectare and the net gain (profit) from sorghum production was 55975 Birr per hectare which is an initiative for producers to continue the production. And also, the benefit to cost ration of 1.6:1 indicates that sorghum production is an economically feasible activity in the area. Pastoral perception and feedback were also collected from participants. Most participants indicated the sorghum (Melkam) variety performed better than their local in terms of yield, early maturity, disease resistance, seed color, and seed size. Thus, further expansion and seed supply by district and zone stakeholder groups to that area is necessary to enhance sorghum productivity and thereby ensuring food security.
Production of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is expanding in both the traditional and non-native areas of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A study was carried out to develop a cost-effective production system module at ARSSSS, SKUAST-Kashmir, Pampore to determine suitable corm weight and planting density for saffron. The treatments in the current study includes 3 levels of corm weight (W1= < 8g, W2= 8-12g and W3 = >12g) and 5 levels of corm densities viz., 15 lakh corm density/ha, 12 lakh corm density/ha, 10 lakh corm density/ha, 05 lakh corm density/ha and 03 lakh density/ha (farmers practice). Economically, saffron corms were sown in ditches plant geometry to accommodate 04 saffron corms, irrespective of densities. The observations were recorded on percentage of plant emergence, number of flowers per unit area, rod length, stigma length, fresh weight and dry weight of flower, stigma fresh and dry weight, total stigma yield, corm multiplication ratio, the onset of the flowering and flowering period. The results showed that all the factors mentioned above other than rod length and stigma quality were significantly affected by corm weight and planting density. Corms with higher weight started flowering earlier and their flowering time was longer than other treatments. Four years of evaluation of the experiment confirms marked superiority in yield by planting corms weighing >7g with a plant population of 12 lakh corms/ha on a raised bed for a duration of 4 years.
