The study was conducted during 2019 main cropping season at Erer research station Babile district PA.Globally pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is the fifth most important pulse crop mainly grown in the developing countries by resource-poor farmers in drought prone areas and on degraded soils.It is a multipurpose leguminous crop that can provide food, forage, fuel wood and fodder for the small-scale farmer in subsistence agriculture.Pigeon pea is a deep-rooted and drought tolerant grain legume that adds substantial amount of organic matter to the soil and has the ability to fix up to 235 kg N/ha).Harari regional state, farmers didn't accept drought tolerant sorghum variety, because of small harvests of total biomass.Thus why, pigeon pea sorghum intercropping can solve the problem of low availability of forage and low soil fertility in this low land area.The treatments of the experiments were, Sole sorghum (malkam) variety, Sorghum + Accession 16520, Sorghum + Accession 16527, sorghum +Accession 16528, pigeon pea Accession 16520, Pigeon pea Accession 16527 and Accession 16528 respectively.The design of the experiment was, RCBD with three replication.The result showed significant difference statistically, in terms of plant height, panicle length, and panicle diameter at 5% (table 1).The highest plant height was obtained from the treatment with sorghum intercropped with pigeon pea accession 16527 (tsegas variety).The result that obtained was statistically not significant in terms of grain yield (p < 0.01) among treatments (both sole and intercropped one).In (Table 1) was indicated that intercropping of pigeon pea Accessions had no negative significant effect on grain yields of sorghum.The maximum grain yields were obtained from T3 (sorghumX16527 pigeon pea accession); (2894) kg ha -1 ), followed by T2 (16527 pigeon pea accession) (2856) kg ha -1 respectively.The minimum grain yield obtained from sole sorghum (2339 kg ha -1 ).The most probable reason for this variation could be due to leguminous nature of pigeon pea accessions that add nitrogen nutrients to the soil and affect sorghum positively.When observed graphically, there is mean yield difference.Both land equivalent ratio and relative total yield was calculated and the obtained result is about 1.22.So this intercropped experiment is advantageous.Partial budget analysis was conducted and the experiment is economically viable.

: An agroforestry practice produces different benefits, which enhance household incomes and diversification of products. This study was aimed to identifying existing agroforestry practices and to identify perception behind of agroforestry practice and to identify the opportunities and major constraints related to agroforestry practices in Fedis, Kersa and Jarso Districts of the lowland, midland and highlands agro ecologies, of East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. The study was based on a household survey conducted on 154 farm household heads; focus group discussions, key informant interviews and direct field observations were applied. The data were analyzed using analytical (SPSS 20.0) software packages to calculate descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the agroforestry practices and agro ecologies. The result indicates that six AFPs exist in the study area namely; scattered trees on croplands (58%), hedge row intercropping (33%), home garden (22%), multipurpose trees on farmland (19%), live fence /boundary planting (18%)

The study was conducted at Fadis research station of Fadis district in the eastern hararghe zone during 2019, 2020 and 2021. Pigeon pea is a deep-rooted and drought tolerant grain legume that adds substantial amount of organic matter to the soil and has the ability to fix up to 235 kg N/ha and produces more N per unit area from plant biomass than many other legumes. Seven pigeon pea cultivars and four variety were used as treatment materials. The objective of study was to quantify amount of soil nutrient (N) obtained/fixed because of the pigeon pea cultivars or varieties. Treatments of the experiments were pigeon pea cultivars and variety, ELR16555, ILRI16526, ELR16524, ILRI 11575, Tsegas variety, Local, Danda’a variety, ELR 11566, Belabas, ELR 16537 and ELR 11563 respectively. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications of each. Data like Plant height, Total biomass, canopy area, soil sample before and after were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.1 (SAS, 2002). Different Pigeon pea cultivars shows highly significant difference among the treatment in terms of plant height at 5% significance level. Different Pigeon pea cultivars and variety shows highly significant difference among the treatment in terms of plant height at 5% significance level (table 2). The highest plant height (331.5cm) was recorded from Belabas variety followed by Tsegas (308.6 cm) and Danda’a variety (294.4cm). On the other hand, ELRI 16555 cultivars shows the shortest plant height (213.0cm) followed by local check (221.7cm). The highest biomass (125000 kg/ha) was recorded from Tsegas variety and the lowest biomass (45000 kg/ha) was recorded from ELRI 16537 cultivars. The highest %OC, %TN and available phosphorus and CEC were recorded from the soil under the Tsegas pigeon pea variety followed by Belabas pigeon pea variety. On the contrary the lowest were recorded from ELR11575 and local check. Generally, from the result it is possible to conclude that the highest biomass yield and almost all of the highest desired soil parameters were recorded by Tsegas variety and it is possible to recommend for the farmers of Fadis District and similar agro- ecologies.

The high erosion rates are mainly affecting the developing countries due to intensive cultivation, deforestation; extreme climate hazard, sediment transport and loss of agricultural nutrients were caused by unwise land use practices, intensive cultivation and improper management. Soil conservation is the only known way to protect the productive land. In this study a physically based watershed model, Annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source (AnnAGNPS) pollution model was applied to the Dawe River watershed for simulation of the runoff and sediment yield. The objectives were to estimate potential runoff and sediment yield and to recommend and design appropriate soil and water conservation measures on a sub watershed basis in Dawe watershed of east hararghe zone. Sensitivity analysis, model calibration and validation were also performed. Four highly sensitive parameters were identified and of which CN was the most sensitive one. For model calibration, model efficiencies of 0.742, -231.081 and 0.828 were observed for surface runoff, peak runoff rate, and sediment yield, respectively. The corresponding determination of coefficients was 0.825, 0.1669 and 0.848, respectively. Runoff and sediment yield were well predicted but, peak runoff rate was over predicted. Validation results produced model efficiencies NSE of 0.769, -73.801 and 0.718 for surface runoff, peak runoff rate and sediment yield, respectively. With coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9215, 0.235 and 0.764 for runoff, peak runoff rate and sediment yield, respectively. Surface runoff and sediment yield simulation were well in the validation stage and peak runoff rate shows the same trend as calibration. Dawe watershed was divided in thirteen sub-watersheds. Runoff and sediment yield for each sub-watershed were quantified. Average annual watershed runoff, average annual soil loss and total annual sediment outflow from Dawe watershed was 194.48mm, 22.467 tons/ha/yr and 354215 tons/yr, respectively. In Dawe watershed, gully, rill and inter-rill erosions were identified as major problems. Thus, check dam and bench terrace designed and vegetative waterway are recommended for intensively cultivated crop land of Dawe watershed.

The experiment was conducted at Babille district, during 2018 and 2019 main cropping season at Erer Research Station. Erer research sub site is located latitude of 09° 10' 41.5" north and longitude of 042° 15' 27.3". The objectives of the experiments were to evaluate and select best methods of root zone moisture retention and soil conservation techniques suited for early mature sorghum. The treatments of experiments were, Control (no soil and water conservation measures), open ended tied ridge, level soil bund, contour furrow, closed ended tied ridge, Broad bed, Semi-circular and mulch respectively. The design of the experiment was RCBD with three replication. Genstats 18th editions was used for data Analysis. Statistically there is highly significant variation among the treatments in terms of all parameters at 5% significance level across three planting years. First year, the highest plant height was obtained from the treatment with Broad bed followed by closed ended tied ridge. On other hand, the lowest plant height was recorded from the treatments with soil bund followed by control (no conservation structure). This is because of no more top fertile soil disturbance during first year. During the second and third planting year, the highest, plant height (132.86cm) and the longest panicle diameter (6.5) was recorded, from the treatments with open ended tied ridge, followed by soil bund and contour furrow respectively. That was because of soil and water conservation (swc) structures design and extra moisture harvested in those structure than rest treatments. During the first year of the experiment, the highest grain yield was obtained from the mulch followed by open ended tied ridge treatments. This is because of no and slight top soil disturbance during the construction stage. But, the third year, the maximum grain yield was recorded from contour furrow followed by open ended tied ridge (2130.9 and 2000kg ha-1) respectively. The lowest yield was obtained from no conservation measures followed by mulching (1125 and 1232.1 kg ha-1). The most probable reason for this variation can be due to the amount of the moisture harvested in the root zone of sorghum because of conservation structure. So contour furrow and open ended tied ridges are suitable swc measures for the area.

Tree planting on degraded lands plays a key role in forest rehabilitation processes through afforestation and/or reforestation. Moisture conservation structures have significant impact on seedling survivals at degraded lands. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of moisture conservation structures on seedling survival and growth performance of selected tree species. Field experiment was conducted for four (2016-2020) in degraded area closure at Babile District East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. The experimental design followed was the split plot design. The moisture conservation structures as main plot used were Soil level bund, Trench and normal pit (used as control). The tree species grown as subplots were Moringa oleifera, Melia azedarach, Grevillea robusta, Leuceana leucocephala and Sesbanea sesban. The five tree species were planted by using seedlings. The tree survival rate, plant height, diameter at breast height and root collar diameter of the five tree species were measured every three months in year after transplanting. The result shows that moisture conservation structures were significant in tree survival rate, plant height, and root collar diameter but not in tree diameter at breast height. Tree seedling height and root collar diameter grown in the Soil level bund were significantly higher than those grown in moisture conservation structures, trench and normal pit (P≤0.05). Survival rate and diameter at breast height grown in the Trench were significantly higher than those grown in moisture conservation structures, soil level bund and normal pit (P≤0.05). The survival rate of tree seedling was higher when grown in Trench than normal pit (control) (P≤0.05). The interaction of tree species seedlings and moisture conservation structures shows that those seedlings grown on moisture conservation structures were significantly thicker, taller and more survived than those grown on the normal pit (control) (P≤0.05). Based on the experiments, it is concluded that moisture conservation structures particularly the Trenches was considered as the most appropriate planting pit. Therefore, further demonstration of Trenches tree planting should be carried out.

The study was conducted during 2020, at Fedis district of East Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State; Ethiopia. Composting is a process where waste organic materials derived from plants and/or animals are decomposed by microbial action under aeration to produce a friable homogenous product that is added to soil.

Small-holder farmers’ livelihoods basically depend on agricultural products and other related activities. Based on this impression, Agricultural Extension Research team conducted cluster-based pre-scaling up of improved tomato variety (Malka shola) at Harari region in two kebeles (Aradas) Kile and Dodota with objectives of scale up the improved Tomato technologies for increasing the production and productivity for the improvement of small-scale farmers livelihood and strengthen the linkages among stakeholders on the promotion of tomato technologies for one year (2019/2020). For this research activity, 100 farmers with 40% (pre-harvest to post harvest) women composition were participated by grouping them in three clusters, from land preparation to marketing of their products. As a result, 21.88ton/ha at cluster1 12.37ton/ha at cluster 2 and 14.59ton/ha at cluster 3 were produced from the total 75 hectares of land by irrigation system at off season in which Agricultural Extension Research team provided all necessary inputs to targeted farmers according to the land size they own and know how. Throughout this research activity implementation the disease occurrence, ups and down of market price, shortage of seed supply and non-frequent advices from immediate local development agents were raised by farmers as challenges. Therefore, research institutes, government’s development organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders should jointly focus on plant protection, market linkage strengthening, facilitation, capacitating, monitoring and evaluate on ground situation at fi eld and farmers level. Research Article Cluster-based pre-scaling up of tomato technologies in harari region rural areas: Small holder farmers livelihood improvement Ibsa Aliyi Usmane*, Abdulaziz Teha, Badaso Urgesa, Oromiya Magarsa and Robe Elema Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box, 904, Ethiopia Received: 19 October, 2020 Accepted: 29 December, 2020 Published: 30 December, 2020 *Corresponding author: Ibsa Aliyi Usmane, Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box, 904, Ethiopia, E-mail:

Soil conservation through integrating legumes with grain crops, and grass strips on soil bunds is an important option for food and feed security of human and livestock respectively. Based on this notion, this research activity was conducted with objectives of improve productivity of land and livestock through the integrated conservation and farm management, demonstrate integrated maize-forage production, and practices of soil and water conservation practices and improve soil fertility through the biological and physical conservation practices from 2016 to 2018 main cropping season in selected sites Kile, Adada1 and Wahil kebeles. The trial was conducted following the procedure of Randomized Control Block Design on three farmers’ fields at each site where farmers are used as replication. Soil bunds extending 20m across contour were constructed on each farm of three farmers. The design of structure was based on the slope of the land which encompasses bund height 70cm and bund width 50cm to protect over toping of flood and increases water retention in the soil. This research found that maize yield 2447.2 kg/ha, 3311.13kg/ha and 3808.66kg/ha; fresh weight of elephant grass 15, 400kg/ha, 6150kg/ha and 20,200kg/ha; and pigeon pea 8200kg/ha, 9620kg/ha, 13800kg/ha an increasing trend across sites throughout three years from the constructed soil bund with integrated system. Soil laboratory analysis also shows an increasing organic matter, available phosphorus and nitrogen because of these integrated systems. Therefore, promoting this integrated system is recommended to small holder farmers by government, Nongovernment and other stakeholders. Key words: Soil bund , Elephant grass, Pigeon pea, Conservation DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/100-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Sorghum has tremendous uses for the Ethiopian farmer and no part of this plant is ignored. However, the productivity of sorghum is low. In Harari region, the average productivity of 22.22 Quintal ha-1 which is even below the national average yield of 27.26 Quintal ha-1 mainly constrained by soil nutrient deficiencies.