Participatory evaluation of sorghum technologies in the marginal dryland zones of Wag-lasta, Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite dryland areas are diverse in agro-ecology; technological recommendations are summative and based on researchers’ on-station genetic traits, which deprived the farmers’ preference, the economic and technical efficiencies. Participatory sorghum technologies evaluation was thus initiated to compare dryland sorghum technologies (Misikir and Girana-1) against the local practice in a wider scale, comprising 450 farmers from marginal districts of Wag-lasta. The agronomic, economic and preference data were collected and analysed in descriptive statistic, ANOVA, partial budgeting and weighted ranking matrix. The combined result indicated that Misikir, Girana-1 and the local sorghum provided mean grain yields of 2.9, 1.6 and 1.5 ton ha⁻¹, respectively. Accordingly, Misikir technology has 81.3% and 93.3% yield advantage over Girana-1 and the local, respectively. The marginal rate of return (MRR) of Misikir is 477.6% but insignificant for Girana-1 by the cost higher than the local practice. The weighted ranking matrix also shows that Misikir was preferred by its earliness, seed setting performance, grain and biomass yields. Dissemination of Misikir technology is thus safely recommended. The finding further revealed that technological recommendations using on-station plot trials is dwarfing the adoption rates since farmers would hesitate to uptake as if they did not evaluate the technologies on their local context. The paper concludes that scale wide farmers’ participation is vital in future experiments for sustainable and demand-driven technology development and diffusion on top of providing feedback to the concerned agricultural scientists.

Keywords:

• Drylands
• economic efficiency
• participatory evaluation
• scale wide
• technology

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

In dryland areas, the technological recommendations are provided for wider production domains using simply plot level on-station genetic traits, which deprive farmers’ preference, the economic and technical efficiencies. This in turn dwarves technological adoption in the marginal dryland zones worldwide. These areas contain more than seven agro-ecologies thus entails diverse production potential for different sorghum technologies. Therefore, implementing a participatory approach to evaluate technologies best suiting for the local context is an important opportunity for farmers to enhance demand-driven technology adoption, which ultimately increases production and productivity on top of providing feedback to the agricultural scientists. Besides, scale wide farmers’ participation in on-farm experiments is vital to sustainable technological development and diffusion as it approximates the real farm circumstances.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

The farmers’ and extension personnel’s unreserved cooperation is greatly acknowledged.

Cover image

Source: Author.

Notes

1. Technology in this study stands for full package practice comprising the recommended production components (viz., improved variety, suggested seed and fertilizer rates, inter and intra row spacing, land preparation and weeding at optimum level).

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Ademe Mihiretu

Ademe Mihiretu is a citizen of Ethiopia. He is a full time researcher in Socioeconomic and Agricultural extension, Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center. He holds a BA degree in Development and Environmental Management Studies (Honours) from University of Gondar in 2009; and MSc in Rural Development from Haramaya University with great distinction and Excellent (A⁺) accreditation to his thesis, in December 2017. Ademe has practical experience and solid meticulous talent in Socioeconomic and Agricultural Extension research. He has published research articles in reputable journals (e.g. Taylor and Francis) and in ARARI’s proceeding scheme. He also reviewed scientific articles (e.g. cogent food and Agriculture) and regional Agricultural extension proceedings.