Journal of
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2170
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAERD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 489

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of frontline demonstration of herbicide (Pyroxsulam) for weed control in bread wheat in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Luchia Tekle
  • Luchia Tekle
  • Tigray Agricultural Research Institution, P. O. Box 492, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
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Hadush Hagos
  • Hadush Hagos
  • Tigray Agricultural Research Institution, P. O. Box 492, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
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Hadas Beyene
  • Hadas Beyene
  • Tigray Agricultural Research Institution, P. O. Box 492, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
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  •  Received: 16 August 2017
  •  Accepted: 06 October 2017
  •  Published: 31 January 2018

Abstract

Frontline demonstration of herbicide was conducted in four districts of Tigray Region with objective of improving productivity of unit area and enhancing the income of farming community. Technology demonstration followed by perception assessment survey was conducted on the direct beneficiaries of the technology. A total of 40 farmers were selected purposively. The herbicide and improved bread wheat was offered. Yield, production cost and perception data were collected. To measure the attitude of farmers towards the improved technology, a five-point Likert scale were used. The data was analyzed using t-test and statistical analytical techniques such as descriptive, frequency, percentage and partial budget analysis. The result of this activity shows that in the four districts, an average of 2236, 2050, 3025 and 2712 kg ha-1 of grain yield were harvested from Pyroxsulam application, whereas, an average of 1689, 1356, 2127 and 1832 kg ha-1 grain yield were harvested from hand weeding, respectively. This can show us that farmers from the districts had an increment of yield by 32.39, 51.18, 42.22 and 48.03% in Hintalo-Wajirat, Enderta, Saesie Tsaeda-Emba and Glomahda districts, respectively. The t-test result also showed that there is statistically significant mean difference between the two groups at less than 5%. The average marginal rate of return of the four districts was 259% and shows greater than the minimum acceptable rate of return (100%). Hence, further scale up need to be made concerning rural institutions.

Key words: Demonstration, hand weeding, herbicide, improved wheat, profitability, pyroxsulam.