Abstract

Sorghum is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia. However, sorghum yield is limited mainly due to the shortage and unpopular of improved varieties in specific areas with another factor. To alleviate this problem the field experiment was conducted during the 2023/24 growing season to demonstrate and promote improved sorghum variety at Malle District of South Omo Zone. Five agro-pastoralists were purposively selected because they are the leading producer of sorghum in the area. Two improved varieties of sorghum (Melkam and Dekeba) with local varieties were demonstrated with the full participation of agro-pastoralists. Eight sorghum grower agro-pastoralists were purposely selected and training was given to agro-pastoralists on sorghum agronomic practices to make full-package technology. The field visit was arranged by inviting different agro-pastoralists; eight females and eight male agro-pastoralists were participated. Data collected from the experiment fields and agro-pastoral preferences were analyzed through simple descriptive and preference ranking tools. The mean grain yield obtained from the demonstration field for each variety was 4250 kg/ha (Melkam), 3500kg/ha (Dekeba) and local variety (1000 kg/ha) in Malle District (Gento kebele). These improved varieties had yield advantage of 325% and 250% over local variety respectively. The agro pastoralists' preference result showed that, the Melkam variety was the best one or superior to the others by its medium plant height, stands strength (tolerance to lodging), long panicle length, disease resistance, early maturity, white seed color, head diameter, high high-yielding ability, and maximum thousand seed weight. Therefore, the Melkam variety was recommended for further scale-up.