Participatory Evaluation and Demonstration of Improved Forages in the Case of Jarati District, Somali Regional State

Abstract

A participatory study was conducted at Jarati Woreda with main objective to evaluate biomass yield of Improved Forage technology under the rain Fed cultivation for three improved forage species; Rhodes grass and Buffle Grass were evaluated in Mean compares with four replications. Data on growth yield and yield related parameters were collected and analyzed using SAS software. The result indicated that the plant height, and fresh biomass yield (qt/ha) were significantly different (P< 0.05) among the tested improved forage Grass The biomass yield production potential of tested species under rain fed condition in to the study area were 6.1 and 4.6 t/ha for Rhodes, Buffle Grass respectively. Regarding the parameters such as forage recurrent capacity biomass per area, palatability, drought tolerant, disease and pest resistance early maturity, easy management, height at harvesting as evaluated by the research participant PAPRAGs members, Rhodes grass ranked first followed by Buffle grass on farmer perception Based on this data, the researcher came to the conclusion that farmers in Jarati Woreda and other areas with similar agro ecologies are recommended to plant Rhodes grass than other variety. Further adaptation trials across more locations and years are of paramount importance.