Cluste-based Large-scale Demonstration and Popularization of Midland Maize Technology in Gamo and Gofa Zones, Southern Ethiopia

Maize is a staple food for farmers in the Gofa and Gamo Zone in Southern Ethiopia. Cluster-based Large Scale Demonstration of maize technology was conducted at Melokoza, Geressie, and Boreda districts in the 2022/23 cropping season. The maize-growing districts were purposively selected. A total of 41 farmers were selected from the 3 districts covering an area of 20 hectares. A training was provided for a total of 102 farmers, DAs, and experts, and BH-546 maize seed variety was offered to the participant farmers. Planting was done with a seed price of 25kg ha-1; spacing of 75cm between the rows and 25 cm between the plant and fertilizer rate of NPS: 100 kg ha-1 and UREA: 150 kg ha-1. Weeding and other management practices were accomplished as required. Awareness creation, grain yield, and farmers' perceptions were analyzed using mean, percentages, and standard deviations. The adjusted mean grain yield was 4,025, 4,475, and 4,050 Kgha-1 recorded in Melo-Koza, Geressie, and Boreda districts respectively. At each of the demonstration sites, a field day was held where various stakeholders participated, and experiences were shared. Based on the feedback, the demonstration was well understood by farmers and stakeholders further. Therefore, the extension system of the respective districts suggested supplying the improved maize variety (BH546) with recommended practices to the wider community for further expansion.