Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of In-situ Rain Water Harvesting Technology with Sorghum Production in West Hararghe Zone

The study was conducted in Daro Lebu and Hawi Gudina districts of West Hararghe zone with objective of evaluating the performance of In-situ water harvesting technologies with sorghum production under farmers’ condition. Haroresa kile and Ibsa kebeles were selected based on water deficit and potential sorghum production. 4 farmers from Haroresa kile and 3 farmers from Ibsa were participated on the experiment. 10m by 10m area was used and planted side by side on structure verses without structure. The Structure was constructed with 30cm depth, 30cm width and tied ridge at 3m interval and seed was placed on center at 15cm. Melkam Sorghum variety was planted using 75cm *25cm plant spacing. Yield, farmers’ preference and production cost were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics, simple ranking method and cost benefit analysis respectively. Training and mini-field day were organized to promote In-situ water harvesting on Sorghum production. Farmers selected Structure Technology by stay green, stay moist, drought tolerance, disease tolerance and head size. 47Qtha<sup>-1</sup> and 45.2Qtha<sup>-1</sup>grain yield were obtained from Sorghum planted with structure and without structure respectively, with 4% yield advantage over without structure. Production of Sorghum variety with structure and without structure generated an income of 169, 250 birr ha<sup>-1</sup> and 167, 050 birr ha-<sup>1</sup>, respectively. Based on farmers’ preferences and profitability of the technology, planting sorghum with tied ridge/structure/ was recommended for water deficit areas of west Hararghe zone and similar agro-ecologies to increase production and productivity of sorghum.