Participatory Seeding Rates Evaluation on Teff (Eragrostis teff (Zucc.) Trotter) Using Seed Spreader in Wolaita, South Ethiopia: Farmers Evaluation and Economic Analysis

Abstract

Farmers’ participatory evaluation of seeding rates on teff using seed spreaders in Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia was conducted during the main rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011. Six treatments viz. 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 (recommended rate) and 35 kgha^-1 (farmers practice) were used in the experiment. Treatments lower than recommended and farmers seeding rate were mixed with seed spreader (i.e. dry sand). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Teff variety (DZ-Cr-37) was used. Before commencing the experiment, awareness creation and on job trainings were given to Farmers Research Group (FRG) farmers. The farmers’ evaluation  result during 2010 and 2011 in the field, based on visual observation (i.e. lodging intensity, expected grain and straw yield ) indicated that they preferred lower seeding rates such as 5kg/ha, 10kg/ha, 15kg/ha and 20kg/ha mixed with sand as 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th rank, respectively. In addition, the average economic analysis value during 2010-2011 using benefit: cost ratio, depicted an increasing trend up to 15kg/ha and then a decreasing trend in subsequent to 15kg/ha. Furthermore, the grain yield, farmers preference and economic analysis justified that the lower seeding rates particularly 15 kgha^-1 mixed with sand could be economically and technically feasible for farmers since it save seeds (100 % over 30 kgha^-1), efficient utilization of improved seed; and to address seed demand of resource poor farmers. Hence, lower seed rates (10 and 15 kg ha^-1 mixed with sand) are technically and economically feasible for farmers in the study area.

Key words: FRG, Seeding rate, Seed spreaders, Teff