Pre-extension Demonstration of Maize Along with Vetch for Yield Production in Misrak Azerinet and Worabe Town Administration, Siltie Zone of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Indeed, climate change parameters have direct impact on agricultural activity in resource poor country. The current study has been aimed to demonstrate integrating of Vetch along with maize to smallholder farmers of the area. On each farmer's 0.25 ha of field, vetch was cultivated alongside maize. On a nearby plot that was the same size as the control, only maize was also planted. The grain and biomass yield of maize and improved vetch variety have been collected. The result reveals that there is a significant (p<0.05) difference in the grain yield between intercropping and pure stands in case Misrak Azernet Woreda. The difference in the dry matter yield between intercropping and pure stands is also significant (p<0.05). This entails that integrating maize-vetch yields additional forage for livestock feed substantially. In contrast, there is no significant (P>0.05) difference in the grain yield and dry matter yield of Worabe town administration. Moreover, farmers prefer intercropping technology rather than pure stands. This might be associated with intercropping improves soil moisture conservation. The study concludes that for better scaling-up of technology for enhancing agricultural production, consortium work should be needed with issue concerning body.