Effect of Some Agronomic Practices to Increase Maize Yield in Ghana
Low plant densities of maize are often observed in fields of farmers practising no-till agriculture which causes low grain yield in Ghana. With the increasing population and consumption of maize in the country, research must be directed to solve this problem to enhance maize production. In this paper, a 2x3 factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with 4 replications was carried out at Wioso in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the major season of 2007 in order to come out with the best practices in maize production. The objectives of the study were to determine the right period of refilling maize field and the comparative effect of refilling with seed and seedling on the growth, optimum population density, and yield of maize. The factors were material for refill, which was either seeds or seedlings, and time of refilling either at 5, 10, and 15 days after planting. The results showed that refilling with seedlings produced the greatest positive effect in the number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height and stem girth. Furthermore, refilling with seedlings contributed more to the optimum plant population density. Total grain yield when seedlings were used as refill was 967kg per hectare more than when seeds were used as refill material. On the other hand, plants from seeds refill were weak, lodged more and allowed much solar radiation penetration to the ground. Grain yield from seed refill plants was 6%, whilst seedling refill plants contributed 34% to the total grain yield. Refilling at 5 days after planting induced greater growth than 10 or 15 days after planting. The results indicate that it is possible to do refilling in maize field by using seedling as this contributes more than the traditional method of using seeds.
Comparison of Farmer's Agriculture Information Channels and Farming Practice in Tanzania
There are mixed empirical evidences on the effectiveness of Farmer Field School (FFS). The evidences on various studies vary because of the setting, evaluation methods and yardstick used. This paper aims to investigate the impact of District Agricultural Sector Investment Project (DASIP) on knowledge and productivity. The study was conducted in the area where (DASIP) operated. This covered five regions namely Kagera, Mwanza, Mara, Simiyu and Kigoma. Within those regions, the study focused on agro-ecological zone where corn was cultivated. The data was collected from 878 farmers out of 971, who were targeted. Among them, 359 were participant and 519 were non-participant farmers. This study employed a five-stage sampling technique. The findings show that the effects of DASIP on participating farmers are very little as they resemble non-participating farmers in terms of knowledge and farming practices. Despite that, non-participating farmers are 8.724 times the odds of corn yield not to increase compared to participating farmers. Based on findings, it may recommended that, agriculture programmes should run smoothly by providing technical and financial commitment to improve the performance of extension officers.
Ensuring the use of sustainable crop management strategies by small wheat farmers in the 21st century
Virtually all current strategi<:(s to implement modem, sustainable crop management production practices involve conservation/zero tillage prior to seeding, some fonn of crop residue retention and management, fertilizer application methodologies that minimize nutrient losses, and integrated insect, disease, and weed management practices that rely on minimal or no use of pesticides. In nearly all instances, the use of these modem, sustainable crop management strategies has bypassed most small farmers (especially small wheat fanners) in developing count~es for several reasons, including: 1) the lack of small-scale planters that are compatible with two-wheel or small four-wheel tractors, or with draft animals, and appropriate for sowing into residues in reduced or zero tillage systems; 2) the need of many farmers to remove or pasture crop residues for livestock feed or to remove residues for cooking fuel; 3) the lack of knowledge by small fanners (and most researchers) about how best to apply fertilizers (when and where, with main emphasis on nitrogen fertilizers) to minimize losses while complementing fannlevel nutrient sources, including farmyard manure/composts and/or green manures, especially when combined with reduced or zero tillage systems; and 4) the largely unknown ramifications of these practices, which may modify insect, disease, and weed incidence. Research is underway at different institutions in several countries to address these problems and help ensure that sustainable crop management practices relevant to small wheat fanners will become a reality. Some of these efforts will be discussed here, including ongoing work at CIMMYT on the application of bed-planting in wheat production systems.