A Cluster Farming of Sorghum Technologies in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State: A Promising Approach

Abstract

A large-scale demonstration of improved sorghum technologies was conducted using cluster farm approach to enhance commercialization and adoption of sorghum technologies. In 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons, 17 kebeles were selected from Assosa and Bambasi districts purposely based on the potential of sorghum cultivation and consent of the farmers. One thousand one hundred forty-three farm family participated among whom 15.5% were headed by female. Average yield of improved Assosa-1 sorghum variety was 2,876.0 kg/ha while that of the farmers’ practice was 1,213 kg/ha. The benefit cost ratio accounted 1.03 birr for improved practice. The sensitivity analysis showed the profitability of sorghum production is more responsive to change in yield as well increase in variable cost other variables remain constant. Men and women farmers preferred Assosa-1 sorghum variety because of higher yield, white seed color, ability tolerant to striga and moderately resistance to leaf blight and anthracnose diseases. Baking quality was the trait preferred by women farmers. Women said Assosa-1 sorghum variety flour had better water holding capacity and it is better for injera making than the local one. Farmers’ preferred local variety because of biomass for plant height used for fire wood, fencing and livestock feed. Large-scale cluster farm approach encourages production for market and strengthens habit of team work. The method enhances stakeholder integration a mechanism help for bringing pluralistic agricultural extension system. Low soil fertility, high fertilizer price, lack of tractor for ploughing, small plot of land allocation followed by lack of thresher were the major constraints to sorghum production. Assosa-1 sorghum variety production using cluster farm approach is profitable enterprise for small holder farmers in the area. Also, a cluster farming approach strengthens linkage between farmers and research, the regional state bureau of agriculture, university, non-government organization, projects and farmers-union. So focus on improvement of production constraints to augment production in the area is needed through finance on fertilizer, machinery and equipment; further scale-up of the approach and releasing of variety which meets farmers need for biomass, color, baking quality, striga and diseases resistance are recommended in the area.

Keywords: Large-scale demonstration, Sorghum, Cluster-farm, Variety, Traits, Benefit-cost ratio, Constraints

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/83-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2024