Cluster Based Large Scale Demonstration of Improved Malty Barley Technology in Gurage Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Cluster Based Large Scale Demonstration (CBLSD) of Malt barley was conducted at Gurage Zone Geta Woreda (Senankorofcha Kebele). The Woreda was selected purposively based on the potential of malty barley production and productivity. A Small holder farmer cluster land based demonstration of improved malt barely technology was the major objective of the papers. A total of 30 hectares farmers land was selected and formed cluster to demonstrate the technology on malt barely. Stakeholder like zone office of agriculture, district office of agriculture and kebele level agricultural experts was participated starting from planning stage. The demonstrated technology was released variety of malt barely “IBON 173/04” and other recommended agronomic practice. Over all 52 members of whom 42 farmers, 4 researchers, 3 kebele agriculture experts and 3 district experts were participated in theoretical and practical training on cluster based production of malt barely. Many field visits at each stage and one main farmer filed day was arranged to share experience to the wider smallholder farm community and other stakeholders. Accordingly, a total of 72 participants were
participated (59 farmers, 3 development agents and 3 Experts and 7 researchers and drivers. The feedback of farmers from filed visit and filed day revealed that the demonstrated variety of malt barely (IBON 173/04) were preferred by farmers advancement to its disease tolerance, productivity and adoption advantage over other variety in the study districts. Therefore, the result of the descriptive statistics shows that, the mean grain yield of the improved malty barley technology was 30 quintal per hectare. As a result, the technology was good in its adaptation of the agro-ecology and increased the production and productivity in the study area.