On-Farm Demonstration of Improved Rice (Oryza sativa L) Varieties in Pawe Woreda of Metekel Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The research activity was carried out to demonstrate and evaluate improved rice varieties in Pawe woreda. Four varieties (Hidassie, Nerica-12, Nerica 4 and Pawe-1) were used for the demonstration and evaluation in farmers’ field under their management and resources. All data collected from demonstration plots and farmers were analyzed through Simple descriptive statistics and matrix rankings. Average yield performances that were obtained from farmers’ field were 42.66 qt/ha, 34.19 qt/ha, 33.41 qt/ha and 32.23 qt/ha of Pawe-1, Nerica-3, Hidase and Nerica-12 varieties respectively. Pawe-1 variety showed better yield performance than the other compared varieties. A group of rice producer farmers were also invited in the demonstration field to evaluate the performance of the verities based on their criteria. In the ranking, Pawe-1 was selected as the best-preferred variety than Nerica-3, Hidase and Nerica-12 varieties. Based on farmers’ perception, Pawe-1 variety was ranked first as it produces a good yield, high tillering capacity, white color and preferred at the market with good price. This result indicates Pawe-1 variety is farmers’ best preferred and top performed variety which can be considered as a promising variety to be widely produced by rice farmers in the study area. The yield under demonstration plots was higher than the local check and the use of research recommended rice cultivation method can reduce the technology gap to a considerable extent. Thus, offices of agriculture and research centers need to provide technical support to the farmers through different educational and extension method to reduce the extension gap.

Keywords: Demonstration, Evaluation, Rice

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-3-01

Publication date: February 29^th 2020