Participatory evaluation of improved pastureland interventions in Ayba pastureland, South Tigray: Implication for pastureland enhancement

Abstract

The participatory evaluation was conducted to assess the forage yield of the natural pasture in degraded grazing land through the application of urea, manure and Vicia sativa over sown with farmers’ practices at the Emba Alaje district. Using a single plot design, a total of 180 quadrats of size 1 × 1 m2 were employed to analyze data on herbaceous vegetation through ANOVA using R-software. Hence, the results of the study revealed that Vicia saliva over sown, manure and urea treated pastureland had significantly (P < 0.001) recorded a higher total dry matter yield (3.43, 3.87 and 4.27 ton/ha, respectively) as compared to the farmers’ practice (2.93 ton/ha). The Shannon diversity index for herbaceous species was also found to be significantly (P < 0.001) higher for manure treated (1.99) and farmers’ practice (1.73) pasturelands. Results from the partial budget analysis also indicated that urea, manure treated and Vicia sativa over sown on the degraded pastureland had the better economic benefit than the existing farmers’ practice as the calculated net return was found to be positive. The results suggest that an improved pastureland interventions involving legume over sowing, urea application and manure application can increase biomass productivity of degraded grazing lands. Therefore, the study concluded that the application of improved pastureland interventions compared to the local practice is better options for pastureland enhancement, which has the potential to enhance herbaceous species rehabilitation and forge productivity where it generates better net returns at reasonable cost implications.

Keywords

• dry matter
• diversity
• manure
• over sowing
• vicia sativa