Enhancing rainfed wheat productivity through technology validation and dissemination in Nertiti locality of Central Darfur State-Sudan

Abstract

This research has been conducted in Nertiti locality of central Darfur State during 2020/2021 cropping season in order to enhance rainy wheat productivity through technology validation and dissemination. Farmers Field School was established with 25 farmers (5 men and 20 women). On-station demonstration farm was conducted with an area of 2feddan. Improved wheat variety Zakia (1feddan) grown versus Nillin (0.5 feddan) and local (0.5 feddan) to evaluate crop performance and potentiality. Clustered random sampling technique applied. Evaluation questionnaires developed randomly to 20 farmers to know farmers perceptions on wheat performance and productivity. Farmers subjected to farming training in wheat technologies of land preparation, sowing date, seed preparation, seed dressing, weeding, water harvesting, soil conservation, pests and diseases control, seed production technologies and harvest and post harvest technologies. Results showed that excessive rainfall variation during reproductive growth affect wheat yield by 32%. Socioeconomic characteristics and frequency distribution of farmers revealed that 80% of FFS participants were educated and 20% illiterate. 10% of farmers have farm size less than 1 feddan, 50% have 1-2 feddan, 30% have farm size range between 3-4 feddan and 10% have more than 4 feddan. Agriculture is the main source of income (80%), while 20% traders and pity trading. Results noted that 90% of FFS participants have no extension services and only 10% have.40% of respondent’s have experience in wheat production, while 60 have no experience.40% of participants perceived that improved wheat is resistant to water logging and high rain fall, 20% resist to insects, 30% high yielded and 10% said low yielded. Crop productivity trend showed that highest grain yield was obtained by improved Zakaia (655 kg/feddan) followed by Nillin (626 kg/feddan), while the lowest yield gained by local (424 kg/fedan). It was also recorded that improved Zakia exceed local and Nillin yields by 54% and 5%, respectively. Partial crop budget result revealed that all treatments were financially gave positive net returns. Improved Zakia gave highest net returns (SDG 21,500), Nillin (SDG18, 900) and the lowest net returns obtained by local wheat (SDG 15,000). Study recommended training in wheat technologies and enhancing the role of research station in the study area.