Farm Demonstration At Bedukrom by Department of Agriculture -Shama

The 2021 district RELC meeting of Agric value chain actors crop ranking showed that maize cropping cultivated in the Shama district. Continues yearly cropping, use of local seeds low soil nutrient and not using fertilizers have resulted in lower yields. To address some of this challenges as acre maize demonstration field was established at Bedukrom.   Co-operative farmer was Mr. Benson Dovlo.

The variety planted was Abontem. After the initial land clearing poultry manure was placed on 2/3 portion of the land while the rest remain same. One month later the maize was planted in row and systemic weedicide was applied just after planting.  After germination grass was used to mulch the soil between the crops. insecticide was applied to control FAW in the fifty week. It was realized that the crops at the area with manure grew faster and taller than that of the area without manure. During harvest the yield ratio between manure and non-manure areas was 3:1.

OBJECTIVES

To avoid burning and improve soil fertility using poultry manure for conservative farming.

FIELD DAYS

Two field days was organized to show case techniques to farmers, some of the techniques sensitized to farmers are;

1. Effect of insecticides on Fall Army Worm (FAW)
2. Identification of FAW
3. Types of insecticides that can be used to control FAW
4. Calibration on the insecticides and their implication
5. When to apply the insecticides
6. How to apply insecticides
7. Analysis yield variations and causes of variation

    ATTENDANCE ON FIELD DAY

MALE	FEMALE	TOTAL
29	11	40

 EXPENSES IN CURE TO CARRYOUT DEMONSTRATION

ITERM	AMOUNT
Land preparation	100
Planting materials	50
Planting	50
Weedicides	50
Weeds control	100
Manure application	50
Total	400

Farmers appreciated the use of improved seeds, importance of timely application of insecticides to control FAW and the use of poultry manure to improve soil fertility.