Maize technology transfer and dissemination efforts in eastern Wollega zone
1999
Mussa, A. (Bako Agricultural Research Center, Shoa (Ethiopia). Research-Extension Liaison Division)
Maize is the most important cereal crop for human consumption in the western Ethiopia. It is the leading crop in terms of area coverage, total production and yield per hectare. To increase production, improved maize technologies have been popularised and disseminated. Demonstrations on farmers' field and training of farmers were some of the mechanisms to increase farmers' awareness and facilitate technology transfer. Training programs were organized for subject matter specialists (SMS) and development agents in the agricultural development bureaus to increase the awareness and to get feedback on the technical needs of farmers. The yield of improved maize varieties was higher than local cultivars under improved management practices. High yielding maize varieties released since 1992 were accepted by the farmers and widely disseminated in western Ethiopia. Farmers' yield per hectare has increased. Maize technology dissemination programs, which were started in the lowland have progressed to the highlands, where maize production was limited to the homestead. At present improved varieties are replacing local cultivars and the area under production is increasing. It was observed that the popularization and dissemination efforts were effective and being enhanced to be able to reach large parts of the area.
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