On-Farm Demonstration of Fish Farming Integrated with Vermiculture and Forage

Production
Background and Justification

Efforts to developing agriculture and reducing poverty remained sectorial, mainly focusing on specific type of
crop and livestock commodity, failing to see interconnections among components of these subsystems.
Meanwhile, the concept of an integrated farming system as emerged to respond for such drawbacks. But this
system has not been adequately adopted, in many sub Saharan African countries, and the agricultural
production system in the region continues to exhibit a low level of productivity and resource use efficiency.
This has finally led to the food insecurity and poverty to remain high among smallholder farming communities
producing different crops and livestock species, despite the availability of arable land and abundance of other
natural resources (Asrat et al., 2019).

Therefore, it is important, especially for smallholder farmers to adopt an integrated crop-livestock farming
system as it is productive, sustainable and climate resilient compared to a specialized and intensive systems.
This farming system has an implication for food security, social and economic benefits as well as resilience
of smallholder farming systems (Dash, 2015; Sekaran, 2021). This leads to resource integration in
smallholder farms which is highly important for developing countries (Goswami, 2016).

In Ethiopian context, the dominant farming system is that of a peasant mixed farming, where an intensive
crop production is used together with livestock production. The crop production aspect of this mixed farming
system is characteristically diversified and employs multiple cropping with limited intercropping or integration.
The farms are usually permanent or semi-permanent and individual holdings are usually under 5ha.
Continuous cropping is usually done with crop rotation in which several years of cereal production alternatives
with a legume crop as a means of maintaining soil fertility in addition to pen manuring with livestock excreta
(Amare, 1978).

Many studies have been made in urban peri-urban and rural farming systems of Ethiopia. The studies
recommended the importance of crop-livestock integration, where they are managed in small scale, on a
small plot of land, water resources, feed and others needed to increase production and productivity. For this
reason, sustainable intensification of crop and livestock sub-systems under an integrated farming system is
especially suggested in most of the reviewed cases. This is also true for urban and peri-urban farming
systems of areas such as Sebeta (Yitaye et al., 2007; Zewdie, 2010; Solomon, 2018; Yared, 2020,
Unpublished).

In case of the most dominant mixed farming systems in central highlands of Ethiopia, land degradation, food
and feed scarcity are getting persistent. The area is also pervasively dominated by challenges such as
shortage of improved forage crop varieties for ruminant livestock species and others such as for poultry
Application of chemical fertilizers, which have a deleterious effect on the natural resources of the region are
also potential bottlenecks for the improvement of agricultural production and productivity. Limited integration
of farming system components was also a primary challenge identify in the central highlands of Ethiopia
(Agaje et al., 2018), which is inclusive of the proposed intervention area

The currently proposed area, where a model integrated farming is planned to be established and
demonstrated is part of the central highlands of the country, where the National fisheries and Aquatic Life
Research Center (NFALRC) intervened with small scale fish farming and at the same time the scarcity of fish
and livestock feed is one of the major constraints (Hiwot et al., 2016; Yared et al., 2018). To come up with
this challenge, an integrated garden production of improved livestock forages (Napier-Vetch Mixture) is
recommended for demonstration along with a small scale and low cost Vermiculture, where the worms are
used as fish feed (Zenebe, 2019). The production or farming system is applicable for smallholder farmers’
residing in NFALRC’s fish farming intervention areas.

Both Napier or Elephant Grass (Penissetium purpurum) and Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) forage varieties, which
were first released by Holeta Agricultural Research Center in 1984 and 1976 respectively are selected for
the demonstration. This is because the varieties were fed to dairy cows together and their effect on milk yield
and quality was evaluated under smallholder dairy cow owners’ context. Thus, the feeding trial has proven
to replace high cost concentrate feeds, and industrial by products for the same milk yield and quality. In
doing so, the feed mixtures are able to attain an average of 8.81 lit/cow/day with smallholder farmers’
management (Aemiro et al., 2010). This gives smallholder dairy cow owners benefits of low cost and
sustainable availability of livestock feed which are the prime limitations of high quality concentrate feeds and
industrial by products in the intervention area. Though demonstrated in other parts of Ethiopia, have not yet
been demonstrated in and around Sebeta Hawas district. The feeds to be demonstrated are also suitable for
backyard fodder production, require small area yet productive when planted in small-scale. The forage
varieties are also suitable for the agro ecological conditions of the intervention area.
Vermiculture is a locally producible and viable source of animal protein for livestock. There is a documented
evidence and experience of farmers using worms cultured through Vermiculture as a basal feed or feed
supplements for poultry (Mengesha, 2012; Tekalign, 2017). Thus, incorporating this practice in an integrated
farming system helps to alleviate some of the prominent challenges cited above.

Finally, the purpose of this proposal is to demonstrate an integrated farming system applicable for small
holder farmers from model fish farming site of Senkole Qaqe Kebele in Wonchi district. The demonstration
has an implication for other fish farmers to adopt the Fish farming-Vermiculture- forage integrated farming in
their own context. Thus, adopting this practice ultimately results in an integrated farming system as illustrated
in Fig 1.

Cow dung as an Input for Vermiculture (Worm farming)

Cow
Vermiculture

Fish feed on worms

Poultry

Forage

Fish Pond water fertilizes the forage

Fig 1. Own conceptual framework of model integrated farming system

Why are the commodities selected for the demonstration?

The following key points justify the reasons for selecting the commodities cited above. Forage crops namely:
Napier Grass (Penissetium purpurum) and Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) were selected for the following reasons:

 Suitability of Napier Grass for backyard gardening, where there is a shortage of wide area for
planting and the fact that fits with current condition of the study area (Getu et al., 2018) and Vetch
with high protein content necessary for forage supplementation (Aemiro et al., 2010).
 Agro-ecological suitability of both varieties for Sebeta Hawas District
 Feed accounts for about 60-80% of the total cost of livestock production, which specially accounts
the maximum percentage for dairy cows (Samuel et al., 2019).
 High harvesting frequency per year and perennial nature of Napier (Elephant) grass.
 High biomass of dry matter yield per hectare registered in Ethiopian context, which is 6.09 t/ha for
Vetch and 10-15t/ha for Napier (Elephant) grass respectively (Getnet et al., 2016).
 Empirical evidence on positive impact of feeding Napier grass supplemented with Vetch on milk yield and
quality under smallholder farmers’ dairy cow management (Aemiro et al., 2010)
 Intercropping Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) with Napier Grass (Penissetium purpurum) is beneficial as
Vetch is nitrogin fixing and helps to improve overall productivity of the intercropped forage species
 Napier grass is the most widely grown and available forage species in East Africa (Lukuyu et al.,
1990; Orodho, 1990).

In addition to the above forage varieties, Vermiculture is also a part of the model integrated farm practice due
to the fact that it is a viable source of natural feed with high protein content and easy to prepare using locally
available inputs (Zenebe, 2019). The compost, which is a by-product of Vermiculture can be used to naturally
fertilize the forage crop, leading to more improvement in productivity and overall forage yield.

Objectives:
 To create awareness on a model integrated farming practice, where Vermiculture and forage crop
production are the parts and new forage varieties (Napier Grass and Vetch) introduced to farmers

 To Analyze farmers’ feedback and perception on the demonstrated integration and new forage
varieties introduced

 To evaluate the yield obtained from integrated production of Vermiculture with forage crops and new
forage varieties introduced.
 Materials and Methods
The type of Vermiculture farm to be established for the demonstration is both of above and on the ground
type to show both possibilities, where farmers could choose the best application from.

General procedures

The procedures used for establishing an integrated farming of Vermiculture with livestock forage is as
follows:

General procedure for Vermiculture spot establishment (ARARI, 2006)

 Material and Input preparation for the Vermiculture (Live-biomass, worms, cow dung and Water).
 Site preparation and related arrangement of the place for Vermiculture (Shade area)
 Mix-up all the necessary inputs for Vermiculture (Based on the recommended rate)
 Add water and stump the soil
 Follow the remaining procedures based on the recommendation and practice followed in the
National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC) and the Amhara Agricultural
Research Institute’s guideline
 Start the demonstration

General procedures for Napier grass-vetch intercropped farm plot establishment

 Following the completion of establishing the Vermiculture demonstration site, the forage crop plots
are established based on the following procedure:
 Land clearing and preparation
 Plowing, levelling and preparation of planting contours/holes
 Planting
 Irrigation, weed, disease management and control
 Establishment of a matured (fully grown) forage crop’s plots for the demonstration

The demonstration activity follows the procedure as cited by Suvedi and Kaplowitz 2016. Accordingly, the
procedures are:

 Setting up the demonstration site (including field preparation, planting, agronomic management practices)
 Rehearsing the new idea to be demonstrated together with possible set of questions to be asked
 Preparing extension materials and audio-visual aids
 Arranging demonstration site and facilities ready for the event
 Selecting farmers for the demonstration
 Scheduling and communicating the date and venue of the demonstration
 Rechecking status of the demonstration site and make amendments to suite for the event’s objectives
 Conduct the demonstration
Sampling
Selection of Demonstration Participants

When selecting participants for the demonstration, farmers who are engaged in smallholder fish farming
would first be identified, followed by a selection of those who have a backyard garden plots of about 100-200
sq. meters of area used for planting Napier grass and Vetch intercropped. Farmers who owned cross bred
dairy cows would be selected for the demonstration. Based on the previous survey conducted in There are
24 farm households who are practicing smallholder fish farming and only one model farmer owns cross-bred
dairy cows and meeting the above criteria in the peri-urban compartment of the district. Hence, this farmer
would be selected as a host farmer all would be included as demonstration participants. In addition, 2 district
agricultural experts (1 Fishery, 1 Forage) 1 zonal fishery expert and 1 kebele DAs would be included. Hence,
the total number of demonstration participants would be 28.

Method of Data Collection

Data would be collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. From the quantitative side, an
evaluative approach of the overall demonstration activity will be made using a mini structured questionnaire
using a scale of labeling the demo with a range of tools included in the questionnaire item. In addition,
quantitative information would also be generated by collecting data on yield of forage crops, worms (fresh
and dry weight in kg) and compost prepared as a byproduct of Vermiculture. Qualitative Data would be
obtained using focus group discussion (FGD) to elicit more information about farmers’ awareness, feedback,
and perception of the demonstration. To further, gauge the awareness effect of the demonstration, an
awareness questionnaire would be employed following the evaluative framework of Kirkpatrick, 2006.
Method of Data Analysis

Data would be analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, median, frequency and
some illustrations using graphs followed by some ranking on evaluative results of the demonstration. This is
done by using a mix of MS Excel and SPSS software. Qualitative data generated from farmers’ feedback
and perception of the demonstration would be analyzed using NVivo software version 11, following the
procedure of thematic analysis recommended by Sivakumar, 2017. Farmers’ feedback on the demonstration
event in general would also be analyzed using the procedure suggested for training program evaluation by
Donald Kirck Patrick (Kirkpatrick, 2006).

Location:

Sebeta on station integrated aquaculture agriculture (IAA) demo village site at the National Fisheries and
Other Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC).

Duration:

The Activity is expected to be undertaken from 2016-2018 E.C. inclusive (3 years)

Work plan for Forage Production Site Establishment and Demonstration

Activities J A S O N D J F M A M J
S/No
1 Fetching Forage Seeds from
HARC
2 Land Preparation for Planting
(Seeding)
3 Planting
4 Irrigation and Weed Management
5 Setting up the demonstration site
6 Reviewing the core idea to
demonstrate
7 Preparing audio-visual aids
8 Arrange demo-site and facilities
9 Selecting farmers for the
demonstration
10 Schedule and communicating
date and venue
11 Recheck and Make Amendments
12 Conduct the demonstration
Work plan for Vermicompost Site Establishment and Demonstration

S/No Activities J A S O N D J F M A M J

1 Material and Input Preparation for VC

2 Site Preparation for the
Vermicomposting
3 Mix-up inputs for the
vermicomposting (Dung..)
4 Add water and stump the soil
5 Place and cover the compost on site
6 Add water on every 3 days
7 Place the worms on the prepared
compost
8 Arrange the demonstration site &
facilities
9 Selecting farmers for the
demonstration
10 Schedule and communicating date
and venue
11 Recheck and Make Amendments
12 Conduct the demonstration

Budget for 2016

S/No Budget Code Amount of Budget

1 6114 24,000
2 6213 25,000
3 6217 10,000
4 6221 5,000
5 6231 24,000
6 6232 1,200
7 6218 10,000
8 6233 16,000
9 6271 91,200
TOTAL 206,200
Output
 Improved awareness on Vermiculture forage integrated farming and on new forage varieties
introduced to selected farmers of Sebeta Hawas District

 Farmers’ feedback and perception of the demonstration is analyzed

 Yield obtained from the Vermiculture and forage integrated farming is measured, evaluated,
recorded and communicated

Responsibilities
Centers: National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research Center (NFALRC) and Holeta Agricultural Research Center
(HARC)

Persons responsible: -
NFALRC: Yared M., Zenebe T (Dr.) Eyob B.,

HARC: - Mamaru T and Cherinet Y.

 Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix
Tools for
M&E Information to be Method of data collecting the
Output Objectives Indicators collected collection information Method of analysis
Improved Ensure that Number of Information on the Mini-semi Semi-structured Thematic Analysis
awareness on farmers have respondents who input output structured Awareness
Vermiculture Understood how have correctly relationship between awareness questionnaire Descriptive Statistics
forage the link between explained issues the Vermiculture questionnaire and
integrated Vermiculture and related to system and the Focus group
farming and forage Vermiculture- forage production discussion FGD
new forage production forage integration system with the final
varieties operates to and information goal of understanding
introduced to reduce input cost on the forage crop the attainment of
selected and yield varieties improved livestock
farmers of introduced and production,
Sebeta Hawas effectively how well (in- productivity and
district identified both depth) they reduced feed cost
varieties, their explained
benefits, yield
advantages and
applications
Feedback and Ensure all At least one idea Information on the Discussion FGD Thematic Analysis
Perception of farmers’ ideas (concept) is cited benefits, Challenges (Open ended) using NVivo V-11
the farmers on and reflections from each of the and solutions in
concepts benefits, successfully applying
are considered
taught during challenges and the demonstrated
demonstration solutions to make practice and varieties
and overall the demonstrated to farmers’ own
demonstration practice context
performance applicable to
farmers’ context
Yield obtained Ensure all the Presence of yield Availability of record Document review Document review Qualitative Analysis
from data related to data record on the on yield; and output and discussion (Narration)
Vermiculture- yield obtained, field book, of farmers’ with the PI and
forage evaluation of farmers’ evaluation; Number concerned office of
integrated farmers on the evaluation of the of extension agriculture in
farming is yield is recorded yield and yield materials prepared in Sebeta Hawas
analyzed is and converted parameters as type and number as district
measured, into a potentially well as efforts well as justification of
recorded, communicable needed to communication on
evaluated and extension achieve that; the output of
communicated materials presence of demonstration results
compiled on the extension
topic materials and
confirmation of
whether these
materials have
been
communicated
Activities
Collect and Confirmation of Presence and How many Document Review Observation and Qualitative Analysis
analyze data presence of data number of questionnaire items and Checking discussion with the (Narration of
on awareness collected on questionnaire have been filled and PI observation)
created on the awareness at items on how much the
participants least at awareness filled information on
as a result of questionnaire up completely awareness is
demonstrating level (hard copy) exhaustive
the integrated
farming
practice
 Collect and Ensure all the Presence of Presence of written Document Review Observation Qualitative analysis
Analyze data qualitative and written record of secondary data which and Checking (secondary review) (Narration of the
on farmers’ partly secondary data is an output of the and discussion observation)
feedback and quantitative data demonstration and with the PI
perception of are collected mini-filled up
the demonstration
demonstration evaluation
qualitatively questionnaire
Collect and Ensure that all Presence of Presence and Document review Document review Qualitative analysis
analyze data on the data on yield written document alignment of the data and Discussion and discussion (Narration)
yield and yield and yield of the yield/yield collected and analysis with the PI and
parameters of the parameters parameter data in results obtained with concerned office
integration as well obtained from the field book as the objective set of agriculture
as farmers’ the integrated well as written
evaluation results farming is records of
of the yield collected and qualitative data
analyzed and analysis
result kept by the
PI

Inputs
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