Highland Sorghum Technologies Promotion Experiences in East and West Hararghie Zones of Oromia Region Bedru Beshir Mekonnen Sime Aberra Deressa Belete Tsegaw Ismael Umer Tesfaye Tefera Research Report No 79 Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Highland Sorghum Technologies Promotion Experiences in East and West Hararghie Zones of Oromia Region ©EIAR, 2010 ›=ÓU›=' 2003 Website: http://www.eiar.gov.et Tel: +251-11-6462633 Fax: +251-11-6461294 P.O.Box: 2003 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Copyediting: Abebe Kirub Page Design: Abebe Kirub Printing: Abesolom Kassa Binding and collation: Abesolom Kassa. Miftah Argeta, and Meseret Kebede Distribution: Solomon Tsega and Tigist Beshir Bibliographic input to WAICENT (FAO): Tigist Beshir ISBN: 978-99944-53-49-8 CCCooonnnttteeennntttsss Introduction 1 Objectives 4 Methodology 5 Results and Discussion 8 Demonstration and extension 8 Popularization of Chiro variety 12 Conclusion and Recommendation 13 References 15 Introduction Ethiopia is a country with population of over 77 million (CSA, 2008). The majority (85%) of the population is engaged in rural and agricultural based economic activities. Agriculture is the main pillar of the economy because of the significant roles it plays. It is a major source of food, employment, foreign exchange earnings as well as it is a source of industrial raw materials. According to Getahun (2003), though agriculture is the launching pad of the economy, it failed to support the ever-growing population of the country. An estimated 40 to 60% of the country’s population is food insecure and Ethiopia is one of the most food insecure countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The agricultural production practiced by majority farmers is characterized perhaps by the lowest productivity in the world. Consequently, Ethiopia became the largest recipient of food aid in Africa. Food aid delivered to Ethiopia between 1985 and 2000 amounted to be around 10 million tons, equivalent to 10 percent of the annual national food supplies (Middle Brook et al 2001, cited in Tesfaye, 2003). The country is also known for being the origin and diversity of many cultivated crops. Sorghum is among 1 those crops, which originated from Ethiopia around 5000 to 7000 years ago (Ast, 2006). It is known to grow on all six continents in a zone extending about 40 degree either side of the equator adapted to temperate and tropic climates (Teetes et al., 1980) though best known for its adaptation to the drought prone semi-arid tropical regions of the world (Mutry et al.,1994). Currently, sorghum is one of the major cereal crops grown in Ethiopia. Over 1.56 million hectares of land was planted to sorghum in 2004/5, a large area covered after tef, maize, and wheat (FAO/WFP, 2005). It is grown in 13 of the 18 major agro ecological zones and in 41 of the 49 sub-agro ecological zones in Ethiopia. With the current alarming population and repeated drought in Ethiopia, cereals like sorghum, which can adapt relatively to dry climatic conditions, may help to curb the increasing demand for grain food. The households consume most of the production, and only a small proportion of harvest enters the market. Despite its importance and immense potential to produce 3 to 6 tons/ha using improved varieties and production techniques, the yield and productivity of sorghum is pitifully low which it is only 1.7 tons per hectare (CSA, 2008). This is due to technological constraints, natural 2 resource degradation and frequent drought, unskilled agricultural labor force, population pressure and very low level of institutional capacity to solve economic and social problems in the country. Hararghie is located in the Eastern part of Oromia Regional State known for its being one of the major sorghum growing areas of the country. However, the production and productivity level is low (23.95 and 28.49 Q/ha for West and East respectively) (CSA, 2008) as opposed to the potential yield up to 30 and 50 tons for low land highland and areas respectively (Asfaw et al, 2005). The productivity level of sorghum in the case of the two zones is below the potential. In order to minimize the gaps, efforts were made in technology generation and promotion of sorghum through the national research project and extension programs. Likewise, MARC has played a role in creating access to improved sorghum technologies over the last decade. Among these, the promotion of such technologies in East and West Hararghie zones of Oromia region can be mentioned. Therefore, evaluation, and popularization of the technologies were carried out with the following objectives. 3 Objectives To demonstrate the potential of improved Sorghum varieties (Chiro and ETS 2752) with the recommended agronomic practices To improve access to improved seed of best performing varieties (Chiro) through popularization, and; To create awareness for agricultural experts and farmers on improved sorghum production technologies 4 Methodology For the demonstration, sites and farmers were selected in collaboration with each Wereda Agricultural and Rural Development Office (DARDO). Interest of the farmers and proximity to the main road were points taken in to account during Site and farmer selection. Field level Experts, Development Agents (DAs) and farmers were given training / orientation on specific activity by researchers prior to actual field works. In the activity, 68 farmers were participated in demonstration while 94 farmers took part in Popularization in the four Weredas of West and East Hararghie. Demonstration plot area was in the range of 250 to 1250m2 per variety on each farmer’s field with an average of 550m2 for the three varieties (Chiro, ETS 2752 and local). The difference in land size was due to land scarcity in the area. The demonstration was accomplished by comparing the newly introduced variety (Chiro), and ETS 2752 and their agronomic practices with that of the farmers practice. For the improved sorghum variety Chiro (Coll#4) the recommended planting time of 15 April to 10 May was employed, 12 kg seed rate per hectare was used, and 100kg DAP and 50kg Urea per hectare were applied for 5 improved & local varieties. Urea was applied in split application of 50% at planting and 50% at knee height. For the local variety, the same planting time and fertilizer application and seed rate was used. Weeding was done in similar manner by farmer for all varieties the first weeding was done at about 20 to 25 while the second was at 45 to 50 days after emergency. Shilshalo was done at knee height to control weed and improve soil water holding condition for both improved and local varieties. The second practice was popularization activity. It was meant to respond to the demand of local farmers for seed after observing the performance of the technology during demonstration. For this practice, farmers were obtained with 2kg Chiro seed and were advised on how to apply agronomic practices. Trainings were also organized on improved sorghum production technologies packages management before on farm establishment of the activity for DAs and their supervisors. 6 Table 1: List of local sorghum varieties compared to Chiro, 2003to 2006 Location/Wereda Local variety name in the demonstration Chiro Masugi,Worabi (Worabi Adi (white Colored worabe) and Worabi Dima (red Colored worabi) Habro Wogare and Bisire Metta Muyera Tulo Dasile and Wogare 7 Result and Discussion Demonstration and Evaluation From highland Sorghum demonstrated and popularized in four Weredas (Habro, Chiro and Tulo) of West Hararghie zone and one Wereda (Meta-Chelenko) of East Hararghie zone. In general, 15, 22, 16 and 15 farmers participated on the demonstration of the improved sorghum varieties from Chiro, Habro, Meta and Tulu Weredas, respectively in the years between 2003 and 2006 (Table 2). As it indicated in the Table 1 above, Chiro sorghum variety was found to perform best followed by ETS 2752 than the local across locations and over trial years. Accordingly, an average yield advantage of 25, 125.1, 97.1 and 933.7% of Chiro recorded over the local variety in Chiro, Habro, Meta and Tulo Weredas respectively. Similarly, the least and largest yield increment of 3.3 and 227% was registered in Chiro in the 2003 and 2004 trial years respectively. Average maximum yield of 76.1 q/ha was registered in Habro Wereda in 2006 while the minimum was 34 q/ha in same Wereda in trial years in 2005. The overall, record of the crop performance shows 8 that the variety (Chiro) was best than the other introduced variety ETS2752 and local. Table 2: On-farm demonstration results by of improved sorghum varieties Locations Year No. of Yield (q/ha) Yield trial difference farmers over the local (in %) Chiro ETS Local Chiro ETS 2752 2752 Chiro 2003 6 53 54 52 3.3 3.6 2004 4 57.6 45.6 44.8 28.6 2 2005 2 45.45 30.91 34.13 33.2 -9.4 2006 3 68.73 43.3 43.4 58 0 Average/sub total 15 56.4 46.5 46 22.6 1.1 Habro 2003 6 68 44 33 104 32 2004 6 55.2 31.7 16.8 227.7 88.1 2005 7 34.7 43.5 22.6 53.5 92 2006 3 76.1 55.6 33.3 129 67 Average/sub total 22 55 42.5 25.3 117 68 Meta 2003 4 57 41 20 186 105 2004 3 37.5 28.5 15.4 143.9 85.7 2005 7 58.6 40 43.6 30.4 -8.3 2006 2 66.65 51.6 35.85 86 44 Average/sub total 16 55.3 39.5 31.4 76 26 Tulo 2003 2 58 42 33 79 29 2004 7 58.5 44.3 26.6 120.2 67.7 2005 3 47.8 46.9 39.1 22.2 19.8 2006 3 63 33.4 29.6 113 13 Average 15 57.2 42.3 30.6 87 38 9 The average relative yield performance of ETS 2752 also follows similar trend across locations.