Validation and Evaluation of the Existing Agronomic Practices for Chickpea Productivity around West Arsi Zone of Shashemene Wereda

Abstract

The activity was conducted around Shashemene wereda of selected kebele in 2022/23 main cropping season, to validate and evaluate crop management (agronomic) practices for adopting chickpea production on the small holder farmer’s field. The study was conducted on selected farmer’s field, then training and awareness were created about the experiment before we established on selected host farmer’s field. The farmers handled all activities by their own local chickpea agronomic management practice on their own farm. However, the research recommended agronomic practice were carried out by the researchers. We already organized the field day two times i.e., at the time of sowing and while harvesting of chickpea. The participants were actively and seriously evaluated the difference between treatments (local farmers practice and research recommended agronomic practice). Producing of chickpea by row planting, NPS fertilizer application, apron star seed treatment and on time fungicide or insecticide application is much better than their local management practice. So, chickpea sown by recommended management practice has showed better performance. The recommended agronomic practice enables to obtained the maximum grain yield (2,030 kg ha-1 and 1,552 kg ha-1) from both Teketay and Natoli varieties respectively. The result of our economic analysis forced to conclude that, planting of chickpea with row spacing, fertilizer application, apron star seed treatment is more economical and advantageous than farmer’s local practice.