Participatory Evaluation and Demonstration of Improved Sorghum [<i>Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench</i>]<i> Varieties</i> in Argobba District, Afar Region

A study was carried out to improve agro-pastoral awareness and enhance the adoption of full-package sorghum production technologies. Participatory on-farm demonstration and evaluation of sorghum varieties were conducted with their full packages at Zone 3 of Argobba district, Afar region, Ethiopia. A gender-inclusive pastoral and agro-pastoral research extension group member (PAPREGs) was formed in the study kebele before the start of demonstration work. Capacity-building training on sorghum agronomic practices was delivered to PAPREG members and extension agents. A single plot design was used for the area's 10 m × 10 m size for each variety on each selected agro-pastoral land. This experiment contains five improved sorghum varieties: Melkam, Argiti, Tilahun, Dekeba, and Meko, and one local variety as a check. A PAPREG group with 30 members was formed to facilitate active participation and enhance awareness of improved sorghum production. Yield data and agro-pastoral perception were collected. Simple descriptive statistics were used to examine the quantitative data, such as the amount of grain yield produced, whereas pair-wise and direct matrix ranking were used for qualitative data, such as agro-pastoralists' perceptions. Based on the analysis of agro-pastoral preference and other physiological data, improved sorghum technologies, Kekeba and Melkam, can be promoted in the respective districts of the study area. These varieties were preferred by agro-pastoral because of their earliness, good palatability, drought tolerance, and disease-tolerant traits. Therefore, it could recommend further promotion and large-scale production of sorghum using the Kekeba and Melkam varieties in the study area and similar agroecological zones.