Adie, Aberra

Alene, Temesgen

Yasabu, Simret

CGSpace

               Produced by  International Livestock Research Institute  Published by  International Livestock Research Institute   27 August 2018 www.africa-rising.net                              Report on Alfalfa adaptation trial field day conducted using irrigation in Bakello kebele,    Debre Birhan  Temesgen Alene, Aberra Adie and Simret Yasabu   The Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for-development projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative.   Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for women and children, and conserve or enhance the natural resource base.  The three regional projects are led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (in West Africa and East and Southern Africa) and the International Livestock Research Institute (in the Ethiopian Highlands). The International Food Policy Research Institute leads the program’s monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. http://africa-rising.net/  This document was made possible with support from the American people delivered through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the US Government’s Feed the Future Initiative. The contents are the responsibility of the producing organization and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of USAID or the U.S. Government     1  Contents  Objectives of the field day ......................................................................................... 2 Briefing about field day and its objectives .................................................................. 2 The importance of diversifying fodder options ........................................................... 2 Questions and suggestions from farmers ............................................................... 3 Answers from researchers and experts .................................................................. 4 Field Day Participants Composition ....................................................................... 5     2  Objectives of the field day   The main aim of the field day was to popularize Alfalfa in the area and to create awareness of the field day participating farmers on Alfalfa production as well as utilization. Briefing about field day and its objectives  Africa RISING Basona Worena site organized a field day on 27 August 2018 at Bakello Kebele, Debre Birhan on Alfalfa adaptation trial conducted using irrigation.   Temesgen Alene Africa RISING site coordinator welcomed field day participants and briefly explained that the focus of the field day revolves around the recently introduced fodder species- Alfaalfa (photo 1). The field day has been facilitated by ILRI staff – Temesgen Alene, Simret Yasabu, Aberra Adie, and Basona district ministry of livestock & fisheries staff - Eshetu Demisse and Zegeye W/Agegnehu.      Photo 1: Temesgen Alene (left) and Aberra Aid (right) looking at the progress of the Alfalfa trial (Photo credit; ILRI/ Simret Yasabu)   The importance of diversifying fodder options  Aberra Adie fodder researcher from ILRI, and the staff from the district office described about the importance of feeds and forages research for development and Africa RISING’s interventions in the area during phase I and Phase II. They also briefed farmers about the importance animal breed, feed, health and animal management in relation to livestock productivity. With that of feed, they emphasized on the different forage options for the area like grasses (oat, desho, elephant etc.) and legumes (vetch, tree lucerne and Alfalfa). Aberra told participants that Alfalfa has  3  a protein content of about 20% and known as ‘queen of legumes’ and can be fed in mixture with crop residues and other basal feeds by 3:1 ratio by cutting and wilting.  He also mentioned that Alfalfa is a perennial forage and can be harvested every month or a month and half once established. It is also mentioned that in addition to dairy and fattening ruminants, Alfalfa is good feed for poultry and honey bees.  Zegeye, Temesgen and Nigatu explained this to participants that the Alfalfa demonstration trial at Nigatu Bekele plot was planted on March 1, 2018 with an area of 60 m2 and the second planting was on April 16, 2018 on 150 m2. A seed rate of 8 Kg/ha was used. Fertilizer with a rate of 100 DAP per hectare was applied. It was hand weeded two times. The main source of water was irrigation for its establishment and growth. (Zegeye, Temesgen and Nigatu explained this to participants, photo 2).      Photo 2. Nigatu Bekele explaining the steps that was taken to see the current Alfalfa performance (Photo credit: ILRI/Simret Yasabu)  Questions and suggestions from farmers After the brief explanation on alfalfa, participating farmers where then encouraged to ask any question for clarification and any comment or suggestions they may have (photo 3):    The alfalfa at Nigatu farm plot should have been harvested earlier than this time. Because it had reached to the flowing stage where the haulm will be harder for animals to digest,   Some farmers expressed their view to plant fodder species like Alfalfa in small land size and feed limited number of cross bred cows rather than local cows which are less productive.   4   One farmer asked if they could get improved livestock breeds especially dairy cows.  Farmer raised how we can mix Alfalfa with crop residue as crop residues are threshed and fine but Alfalfa is tall.   They also asked if it is possible to cultivate Alfalfa using rain water during the main cropping season (i.e. Meher)   Some farmers raised the high cost and the availability to get the seed (1000 ETB per Kg = USD 27 and its availability)    A farmer from extreme Dega/highland village/sub-Kebele asked that they don’t have irrigation access but he asked if it is possible to grow alfalfa around April using small rain plus he raised the issue of seed.  One farmer shares his experience on using BBF (Broad Bed and Furrow) for better establishment of seed and growth during Meher season.  Some farmers raised if it is possible to raise seedling first and transplant for good establishment?   Answers from researchers and experts     There was some delay in harvesting the Alfalfa at Nigatu’s farm for conducting the field day before it is harvested. Farmers have been appreciated for their keen observation on this.  Aberra mentioned that ILRI’s mandate is on doing research for development activities and not mandated to distribute improved livestock breed to the local community. He also added such kinds of works are the main responsibility of the Woreda livestock and development office. Eshetu (head of livestock office) and Zegeye (Woreda expert) briefly explained the breeding service arrangement mainly AI (Artificial insemination) by the Woreda office to field day participants farmers. Zegeye added the Woreda have AI technicians with motorbike to access Photo 3: Partial view of field day participants (Photo credit: ILRI/Temesgen Alene)  5  each Kebeles so he advised farmers to call the technicians as usual for the service. Otherwise addressing the breed problem using live animals (i.e. supplying improved dairy heifers) will not be practically applicable.       Aberra told farmers that the general principle is to mix grass with legumes in ratio of 3:1 to get good result. In this context, he advised farmers first to wilt the alfalfa and then chop it in to pieces so that it can easily be mixed with crop residues.   It is possible to grow Alfalfa using Meher cropping season but for year-round harvest, there should be supplemental irrigation. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get good harvest.   Aberra said that Africa RISING provides only starter seed for demonstration purpose where it is necessary. He also added the project can arrange a training on seed production of Alfalfa. Eshetu (head of livestock office) promised to supply initial seed using budget from the government or other projects. However, he underlined that once some farmers in the Kebele get the starter seed, they must produce seed for their own purpose and supply seed to neighboring farmers in the Kebele. It will be very difficult to address each farmer in the Kebele with Alfalfa seed. Eshetu also added that the woreda, in collaboration with Africa RISING, can arrange seed production training separately or together with other trainings.  It is ideal for Alfalfa establishment during the small rainy season (i.e. Belg) and grow favorably during the main cropping season. However, the issue of water from different sources for the 2nd and consecutive harvest times is a key success factor.     Aberra appreciated using the BBF to grow Alfalfa during Meher season. He advised the farmers that it is good to avoid waterlogged soil for better establishment and to harvest good yield of Alfalfa.   Notwithstanding the possibility of seedling transplants for propagation of Alfalfa, for effective establishment and for large scale, it is strongly advised to establish it from direct sowing of the seeds.  However, if one opts to establish from seedlings, it should be transplanted during its early growth stage before it sends its very deep roots in to the soil.          Field day participants composition   SN Participants  Male Female Total 1 Farmers  50 11 61 2 Woreda office of agriculture  2 - 2 3 Kebele office of agriculture  2 - 2 4 ILRI  2 1 3 Overall total 56 12  68   6                                   ILRI thanks all donors and organizations which globally support its work through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.  This document is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  (August 2018) 

Report on Alfalfa adaptation trial field day conducted using irrigation in Bakello kebele, Debre Birhan

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Report on Alfalfa adaptation trial field day conducted using irrigation in Bakello kebele, Debre Birhan

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