TARCHA- The Dawro Zone of the South West Ethiopia State disclosed that summer wheat farming has become a new fashion during the past three years and the productivity shows significant development from year to year.
Approached by the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Dawro Zone Agriculture, Environment Protection and Cooperatives Development Department Deputy Head Tadesse Umma said that wheat farming, which was introduced three years ago, has become common in the area.
Starting from covering 63 hectares of land some three years ago, the Dawro zone harvested 1,078 hectares of land and produced 30,663 quintal last year. The yield per hectare also increases from year to year and many farmers in the zone are getting involved in wheat farming.
For this summer season, Dawro plans to cover 3,445 hectares of land with wheat and plans to harvest 40 quintals per hectare. “We aim to cover 3,445 hectares of land by wheat using irrigation and so far, we have covered over 900 hectares of land and efforts are underway to achieve the plan. To this end, necessary inputs and support are being provided to farmers.”
Though 60 percent of the area is lowland, the Dawro zone is suitable for summer wheat using the available water resources and continues to exploit the potential. Tadesse further noted that by covering 78,000 hectares of land with different crops during theMeher season, the zone has secured 1.2 million quintals of product. During the Belg season, in addition to wheat, the zone plans to cover 40,000 hectares of land by different crops, mainly maize.
In the area, farmers are participating in summer wheat farming, which was not common before. Among them is Werabo Dima, a father-of-10, from the Gena District of Dawro Zone. Werabo told EPA that he started harvesting wheat last summer for the first time in his long career as a farmer. “Wheat farming was not common in this area, when the agricultural experts advised us to start cultivating wheat, it was something odd. But, I started to harvest wheat in one hectares of land last year with the support of irrigation and obtained around 18 quintals.
This summer, Werabo already covers four hectare of land with wheat using a water pump irrigation system. The revenue he secured from last year wheat production has brought significant revenue and helped to improve the livelihoods of his household.
Having learned from last years’ experience, he is currently exerting his maximum capacity to increase productivity. “I am using improved seed, adequate fertilizers and other necessary inputs, and the land was prepared well. I am hoping to harvest up to 30 quintals per hectare this summer.”
“The summer wheat production initiative is a new blessing for farmers. The land was with us for years, but we had not even tried to harvest wheat. But now, thanks to Prime Minister Abiy’s initiative, in addition to the Meher season, we are harvesting in the previously non-harvesting season and bringing additional incomes for our households,” the farmer stated.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
The Ethiopian Herald January 28/2024
