Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

Tesfahun Fikre; Dirshaye Hailu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

Tesfahun Fikre^*

, Dirshaye Hailu

Published in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 13, Issue 3)

Received: 8 April 2024 Accepted: 23 April 2024 Published: 24 May 2024

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Abstract

Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.

Published in	Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 13, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
Page(s)	60-69
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Central Ethiopia, Farmer Preferences, Maize Varieties, Participatory Demonstration, Productivity

References

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[2]	A. O’Neill, “Share of economic sectors in the GDP in Ethiopia 2022.,” Statista., 2023.
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[4]	A. Keba, “Review on Agricultural Extension Impacts on Food Crop Diversity and the Livelihood of Farmers in Ethiopia,” J. Poverty, Invest. Dev., vol. 55, pp. 21–25, 2020.
[5]	Central Statstis Ageny (CSA), The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ethiopian Statistics Service (Ess) Agricultural Sample Survey Farm Management Practices (Private Peasant Holdings, Meher Season) Statistical Bulletin, vol. III. 2022.
[6]	Gurage Zone Agriculture Office (GZAO), “Gurage Zone Agriculture Office Annual Report for the year 2021/2022. Unpublished,” Wolkite, 2022.
[7]	J. Manda and A. D. Alene, “Impact of improved maize varieties on food security in Eastern Zambia: A doubly robust analysis,” vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 1709–1728, 2018.
[8]	FAO, IFAD, and WFP, “The State of Food Insecurity in the World. The multiple dimensions of food security. Executive Summary,” pp. 1–57, 2014.
[9]	G. A. and S. A. Abate Bekele, Machiel F. Viljoen, Effect of Farm Size on Efficiency of Wheat Production in Moretna-Jirru District in Central Ethiopia, vol. 64, no. 3. 2009.
[10]	E. Marfo-Ahenkora, K. J. Taah, E. Owusu Danquah, and E. Asare-Bediako, “On-Farm Experimentation with Improved Maize Seed and Soil Amendments in Southern Ghana: Productivity Effects in Small Holder Farms,” Int. J. Agron., vol. 2023, 2023.
[11]	M. Mengesha, D. Bekele, and W. Tesfamariam, “Participatory Varietal Selection of Released Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties for Yield at Homosha District Western Ethiopia,” vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 6–10, 2022.
[12]	Abeshge woreda Finance and Economic Development Office (AWFEDO), “Abeshge Woreda Finance and Economic Development Office Social and Economic Census Affairs annual report for the year 2019/2020. Unpublished.,” Abeshge woreda, Wolkite., 2022.
[13]	Central Statstics Agency (CSA), “National Population Statistics. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,” Addis Ababa., 2007.
[14]	J. M. C. and D. J. Buckles, Participatory Action Research Theory and Methods for Engaged Inquiry, Second edi., vol. m. New York, NY 10017: Routledge the Taylor & Francis Group, 2019.
[15]	Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), “Crop Variety Register,” Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022.
[16]	International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), “From agronomic data to farmer recommendations: An economics training manual,” 1988.
[17]	S. K. Samui, S. Maitra, D. K. Roy, A. K. Mondal, and D. Saha, “Evaluation On front line demonstration on Groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) in Sundarbans,” J. Ind. Soc. Coast. Agric. Res., vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 180–183, 2000.
[18]	F. O. Issa, J. H. Kagbu, and S. A. Abdulkadir, “Analysis of socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ adoption of improved maize production practices in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria,” Agrosearch, vol. 16, no. 2, p. 15, 2017.
[19]	O. T. Okonji, C. J. and Awolu, “Factors Influencing Adoption of Improved Technology Among Maize,” Agrosearch, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 102–112, 2020.
[20]	Y. Damtie, B. Demeke, and T. Haile, “Mean Performance and Variability Evaluation of Hybrid Maize ( Zea mays L.) Varieties for Yield and Yield Attributed Traits at Pawe Agricultural Research Center, Western Ethiopia,” vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 428–436, 2021.

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APA Style

Fikre, T., Hailu, D. (2024). Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 13(3), 60-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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ACS Style

Fikre, T.; Hailu, D. Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agric. For. Fish. 2024, 13(3), 60-69. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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AMA Style

Fikre T, Hailu D. Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agric For Fish. 2024;13(3):60-69. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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@article{10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11,
  author = {Tesfahun Fikre and Dirshaye Hailu},
  title = {Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties
},
  journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {60-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20241303.11},
  abstract = {Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

AU  - Tesfahun Fikre
AU  - Dirshaye Hailu
Y1  - 2024/05/24
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
SP  - 60
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5648
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
AB  - Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Tesfahun Fikre

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Wolkite Agricultural Research Center, Wolkite, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3904-1435
Dirshaye Hailu

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Wolkite Agricultural Research Center, Wolkite, Ethiopia

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Fikre, T., Hailu, D. (2024). Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 13(3), 60-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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ACS Style

Fikre, T.; Hailu, D. Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agric. For. Fish. 2024, 13(3), 60-69. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

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AMA Style

Fikre T, Hailu D. Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties. Agric For Fish. 2024;13(3):60-69. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11,
  author = {Tesfahun Fikre and Dirshaye Hailu},
  title = {Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties
},
  journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {60-69},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20241303.11},
  abstract = {Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties

AU  - Tesfahun Fikre
AU  - Dirshaye Hailu
Y1  - 2024/05/24
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
SP  - 60
EP  - 69
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5648
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20241303.11
AB  - Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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