Participatory Evaluation and Demonstration of Early-maturing Sorghum Varieties under Irrigated Conditions in Darussalam Kebele, Jarati District, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted to improve agro-pastoralists' awareness and promote the adoption of full-package sorghum production technologies. Participatory evaluation and demonstration of early-maturing improved sorghum varieties under irrigation conditions were carried out with their full production packages in Jarati District, Afder Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Before the demonstration, a gender-inclusive Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Research Extension Group (PAPREG) was established in the study kebele. Capacity-building training was provided to PAPREG members and extension agents on sorghum agronomic practices. The demonstration used a single-plot design, with each variety planted on a 10 m × 10 m plot within selected agro-pastoral lands. The experiment tested four sorghum varieties, including three improved ones, Melkam, Hamat, and Dekeba, along with a local variety used as a control. To ensure active participation and knowledge sharing, a PAPREG group comprising 30 members was formed. Yield data and agro-pastoralists’ perceptions were collected. Quantitative data, such as grain yield, were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, while qualitative data, such as farmers’ preferences, were assessed through pairwise and direct matrix ranking. The findings indicated that the improved sorghum variety Melkam performed best and was most preferred by agro-pastoralists due to its earliness, palatability, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. Therefore, Melkam is recommended for wider promotion and large-scale production in the study area and other similar agro-ecological zones.