Abstract

Pre extension demonstration of in situ moisture conservation technologies was carried out at Ginnir district of Bale zone using in situ moisture conservation technology (furrow) with farmers practice. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate in situ moisture conservation technologies under farmers’ condition. The demonstration was under taken on single plot design of 10m x 10m area for each technology with recommended seed and fertilizer rates. Mini-field day was organized at each respective sites on which different stakeholders were participated and experiences were shared. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated technologies was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using simple ranking methods. Participant farmers were enhanced to set their own selection criteria and their criteria were almost similar in all locations. Accordingly, furrow was selected due to its number of head/plant, height of head, seed size, better stem strength, root has got soil, unavailability of unproductive plants and good plant height. Since, all participant farmers selected furrow, it is important to proceed to the task of scaling up/out the technology in all demonstration sites and similar agro-ecologies.

Keywords

Demonstration, Farmers’ preference, In situ, Furrow, maize, Selection criteria