DASE Demo plot activities

Planting

} Four varieties of maize:1. KATUMANI2. SCDUMA3. KDV4. EMB} Four Rice varieties 1. Narica 12. Narica 23. Narica 44. Narica 10

Experimental Plots

• Four maize varieties denoted as KATUMANI, KDV, SCDUMA and EMB were planted at the Seed Multiplication farm of the Darussalam Company.

• The purpose was to investigate the performance of the varieties on local condition.

Objectives of the Maize Demo plots

Table-1. Summary of the varieties of the Demo Plots at Darussalam Seed Production Enterprise Farm

Varieties Days to flowering

Average Plant

stand/sqm

Average Plant

height(Cm)

Average Ear height(Cm)

Average Grain

Yield(gr)/Plant

EMB 42 8.5 106.7 48 96

Katumani 35 8 123 59.9 82.3

KDV 34 8.3 134.8 77.1 97.8

SCDUMA 42 9.6 147 74.5 145.2

Conclusion and recommendation`The three varieties(KATUMANI, KDV, SCDUMA ) performed well -demonstrating plant vigor over the variety EMB; the latter had low plant stand and stunted growth. Nevertheless, except the variety SC DUMA , the remaining three varieties seem unsuitable for irrigated farmers of Lower Shabelle. But the drawback of SC DUMA is the severe attack of birds than the other three varieties.

Presently, the Seed Enterprise has difficulties in maintaining the true type of the SC DUMA. In the other hand, farmers of the area are committed further work on Somtux. The gradual building of seed Technology Facilities, Manpower and Expertise in the Seed Sector, the Darussalam Seed Enterprise might evolve into Seed Company Specialized on Maize and Sesame seed; moreover, quality seed suppliers throughout Southern regions of Somalia.

MUNG BEAN

Local Sesame Demo Plot Local Sesame Demo Plot

Local Sesame Demo Plot Background

Sesame is extensively cultivated in Deyr season across the Jilaal periods throughout Lower Shabelle region. Hagai sesame is practiced also in Lower Shabelle after main Gu-rain curtails, approximately when the costal showers start -end of June, hoping that harvest procedure coincides during September. There is much risk in Hagai sesame than the Deyr-sesame with regard to harvesting and drying the produce. Much quality seed is expected in the Deyr cropping than Hagai sesame cropping.

The prevalent traditional practice of sesame cultivation is to inundate the crop-land with excessive water, sometimes, even beyond the soil Field Capacity. Thus hard impermeable formation of soil layers in the long run coupled with destruction of soil structures is, certainly expected; consequently the land so cropped may become unproductive. After flooded water recedes from the crop-land, wet ploughing combined with broadcasting methods of planting of sesame is a common practice throughout Lower Shabelle. The reason on wet-land preparation, prevalent practice of Awdegle zone has been reasoned to ‘Escape Expenses on Weed Control in Crop Production’.

Lack of appropriate cultural operations ( row planting, optimum plant density/unit area, and weed / insect control ) and lack of appropriate handling the produce at post harvest (drying and storage facilities) are some of the constraints of crop production. Moreover, the practice of flooding as much water in the field as well as the practice of wet ploughing the land is becoming unwanted field operation in crop production.

ObjectivesAn improved practise aimed at upgrading traditional methods of sesame have been planted in the Deyr 2010/2011 at the Seed Enterprise Farm of Darussalam. The practice was aimed to show farmers how sesame can be successfully grown for maximizing water use efficiency and net profits from this cash crop across Lower Shabelle. In addition to that, the planted crop was utilized as training purposes for Field Technicians working on the project SOMSEED and Seed Company Enterprise.

GoalsImproving the existing practice in crop production will have fallowing advantages:ØWater use efficiency on crop production -instead flooding the field Ø Obtain optimum plant stand/unit area –instead broadcasting methods

of planting.ØAvoid soil compaction due to wet-land preparation.ØThe Darussalam Seed Enterprise is encouraging uses of oxen drawn implement for timely operational weed control to discourage traditional wet land preparation•Effective net return on sesame production

RICE PlotsThe four varieties of Upland Rice (Nerica1, Nerica2, Nerica4 and Nerica10) are showing some adaptation on the Darussalam environment. According to the pictures and also with our visual assessment, the Nerica10 seems promising in terms of growth: height and luxury growth over the other varieties of Upland Rice at the Seed Production Farm of Darussalam.

Sorghum farms

Thanks a lot for your time and consideration