Demonstration of NPSB and Rhizobium Inoculation on Chickpea yield and Profitability in Hatsebo (Laelay Maychew)

Justification: Chickpea yieldunder farmers condition is far below compared to the research and potential yield. To fill the yield gap demonstration of NPSB (nitrogen phosphorus sulphur and boron), along with Rhizobium inoculation was carried out on chickpea in Laelay Maychew District (Hatsebo) which is the potential chickpea growing area in 2019/2020.

Objectives: i) To demonstrate and increase farmers’ productivity through combined application of NPSB Rhizobium inoculation on chickpea crop. ii) To analyze farmers’ perception towards the Blended fertilizer with Rhizobium inoculation.

Methodology: 29 volunteer farmers were selected in the demonstration. Yield was measured using Quadrant 1*1m as well as semi-structured questionnaire also used to collect the feedback of the respondents towards the improved variety. Descriptive statistics and Likert scale analysis method was used to analyze the data collected perception of the beneficiary farmers. Statistical Analysis software (SAS) used for yield analysis.

Results: The result showed that in the intervention area the improved chickpea variety (Dalota) accompanied with NPSB + Rhizobium inoculation (CP-M-41) showed high yield (2226kg ha-1) compared to untreated plots with a yield of 1808kg ha-1 which is significantly difference between the practice.It showed23.12% yield advantage over control(untreated check). The perception of respondents is also positive for most of the attributes (preferred by farmers) which was higher than the mean agreement level of mean score (3).

Conclusion: Hence, application of 125 kg ha-1 along with 500 g ha-1could improve chickpea productivty in the area and similar site specific NPSB recommendation. It needs to be popularizd to a number of farmers in soils deficient in NPSB and low Rhizobium .population(CP-M-41) to increase chickpea productivity so as to improve livelihood of farmers.