AWATT
AFGHANISTAN WATER, AGRICULTURE &
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM
FIELD DAY REPORTS
DR. HAMDY OUSHY
JULY 18- 23, 2009
AWATT-Forage Field Days Program:
Eight forage field days have been carried out through July 18-23, 2009 in five Districts in Balkh as shown
in Table (8):
Table 8. Eight field days were carried out in five Districts by AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer
Program in Balkh Province to demonstrate forage on-farm demos and forage research trials.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Date
District
7/18 Kholm
(Female)
Village
Ganda
Baghat
7/18 Kholm
(M + F)
Ganda
Baghat
7/19 Dehdadi
Baba Kona
7/19 Dehdadi
Posht-eBaghe
7/20 Nahri
Shahi
Choghdak
7/21 Balkh
Kata Khil
7/22 Chemtal
7/23 Mazar-eSharif
Mer Qassem
Balkh
University,
College of
Agriculture
Farmer/Site
Amir Khan,
Farmer
Leader
Amir Khan,
Farmer
Leader
Mohamed
Hanif,
Farmer
Leader
Dehdadi
Agricultural
Research
Station
Abdul Gafar,
Farmer
Leader
Sultan Bey
Khan, Kuchi
Leader
Alem Shah,
Farmer
Leader
College
Agronomic
Research
Farm
Participants
MAIL, BU &
group of 30
livestock
rural women
MAIL, BU,
Farmers
MAIL, BU &
Farmers
No of
Participants
Time
36
7:009:00am
60
9:3012:00am
86
7:009:30am
Per
Diem ($)
300.0
450.0
655.0
MAIL, BU,
and Farmers
MAIL, BU,
JDA, and
Farmers
MAIL, BU,
JDA, and
Farmers
MAIL, BU,
and Farmers
MAIL, BU,
JDA
86
10:00am
– 1:00pm
66
9:00am –
12:00am
515.0
154
8:00am –
1:00 pm
665.0
69
136
9:00 am
–
12:00am
8:00 am
1:00 pm
530.0
635.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Per Diem Expenditures:
*. MAIL: Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock;
**. BU: Balkh University; Dean of College of Ag, faculty and students
693
$3750.0
Table 9. Analysis of attendances per gender category in the eight forage technology transfer field days.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
District
Kholm (F)
Kholm (M)
Dehdadi
(Farmer)
Dehdadi
Res. Station
Nahri Shah
Balkh
Chemtal
Balkh Univ.
Date
7/18
7/18
7/19
MAIL-Stuff
Leadership
M
F
3
3
MAILExtension
M
F
1
6
BU
Faculty
M
F
2
7
2
BU
Student
M
F
Farmers
M
F
30
NGOs
M
22
F
Not
invited
Farmers
Total
20
36
60
4
4
7
9
3
31
1
27
86
4
6
3
6
3
4
3
3
7
8
8
5
9
1
3
31
32
74
39
10
1
1
2
27
15
54
19
35
86
66
154
69
136
40
5
197
693
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
3
26
23
41
1
Total:
*. 14% of field day’s participants were women.
10
3
75
7
36
13
75
7
229
AWATT-Forage On-Farm Demonstration of Improved Forage
Technologies:
Twenty Nine forage on-farm demonstration plots of pearl millet and sorghum/Sudan hybrid in comparison with
local forage Jawari (Yellow corn) were demonstrated, in 500.00 m2 plot area size, by the AWATT-Forage program
over five Districts in Balkh Province as shown on Tables (1-5).
Table 1. Ten on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in Dehdadi District.
No
Farmer
Village
Plot Size
No of
Costs (US $)
Trained Farmers
1
Abdullah Rahmati
Post-e-Bagh 500.00 m2
17
263.20
2
Zulmay Mohammad Ali
Sher Abad
500.00 m2
21
263.20
3
Mohammad Qassem Rajab
Tokhta
500.00 m2
19
263.20
4
Hajy Ismaiel Ayub Shah
Karmalik
500.00 m2
25
263.20
5
Abdul Wadood Shah Mardan Kol Tokhta
500.00 m2
22
263.20
6
Lal Mohammad Atta
Now Abad
500.00 m2
24
263.20
7
Mohammad Hanif Sultan
Baba Kona
500.00 m2
20
263.20
8
Takey Najaf
Sheikh Abad 500.00 m2
19
263.20
9
Abdul Momen Abdul Rahim
Karmalik
500.00 m2
19
263.20
10 Mohammad Aref Ghulam Rasul
Hazar Jereb
500.00 m2
17
263.20
Total:
203
$ 2,632.00
Table 2. Six on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in Nahri Shahi District
No
Farmer
Village
Plot Size
No of
Costs (US $)
Trained Farmers
1 Ghafar Khan Haji Qusha Baba Yadgar 500.00 m2
23
263.2
2 Abdul Razaq
Baba Yadgar 500.00 m2
24
263.2
3 Bashir Ahmad
Baba Yadgar 500.00 m2
22
263.2
4 Amrudin Ghulam Postgir Takhat Pool 500.00 m2
22
263.2
5 Nasir Ahmad
Takhat Pool 500.00 m2
20
263.2
6 Mohammad Hussain Ali Yulmarab
500.00 m2
25
263.2
Total:
136
$ 1,500.00
Table 3. Five on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in Kholm District
No
Farmer
Village
Plot Size
No of Trained
Farmers
1
Amir Khan Aziz Khan Ganda Baghat
500.00 m2
25
2
Aienullah Amanullah
Damula Lashkari
500.00 m2
17
3
Chotbye Barat
Sert
500.00 m2
15
4
Mohammad Azim
Khanaqa-Merza
500.00 m2
16
Khairudin
5
Mohammad Sharif
Ganda Baghat
500.00 m2
23
Total:
96
Table 4. Five on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in Chemtal District
No
Farmer
Village
Plot Size
No of
Trained Farmers
1
Alim Shah Hazrat Kol
Merqasem Jan 500.00 m2
20
2
Sayed Jalal Sayed Jamaludin Merqasem Jan 500.00 m2
23
3
Lal Mohammad Gorg Ali
Merqasem Jan 500.00 m2
21
4
Sayed Hamid Sayed Tahir
Merqasem Jan 500.00 m2
19
5
Sayed Hashem
Sarasyab
500.00 m2
25
Total:
108
Table 5. Three on-farm demonstrations have been carried out in Balkh District
No
Kuchi Farmer
Village
Plot Size
No of
Trained Farmers
1
Sultan Bye Khan Jan
Kata Khail
500.00 m2
30
2
Hafezullah Ajab Khan
Kata Khalid 500.00 m2
26
3
Nagebullah Mohammad Zahir Kata Khail
500.00 m2
27
Total:
83
Costs (US $)
263.2
263.2
263.2
263.2
263.2
$ 1,316.00
Costs (US $)
263.2
263.2
263.2
263.2
263.2
$ 1,316.00
Costs (US $)
263.2
263.2
263.2
$ 789.00
The AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has provided gratis the following agricultural materials to every
forage on-farm demo plot:
1.
2.
3.
4.
50.00 Kg of chemical fertilizer (UREA 46% N).
50.00 Kg of chemical fertilizer (Phosphorous).
Seeds of forage Pearl Millet, sorghum/Sudan hybrid, and local Jawari (yellow corn).
Training and technical assistance.
AWATT-Forage Pearl Millet Seed Production Program:
A seed production program was established for Pearl Millet crop by the AWATT-Forage Program in parallel with
the introduction of the crop to farmers through the on-farm demonstration plots in Balkh Province. Two plots in
every demo have been carried out; the first for pearl millet fresh forage production and the other was for seed
production. Farmers have been trained on seed production of pearl millet; therefore, the AWATT-forage program
has ensured the sustainability of the transferred forage technology after the end of the project. Thus, the
collaborating farmers will be able to plant their own pearl millet seeds for the next growing season.
The AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has established two pearl millet seed production farm
sites in two Districts of Balkh Province: Chemtal and Balkh, respectively as shown in Table (6):
Table 6. Two forage pearl millet seed production farm sites have been established in Chemtal and
Balkh Districts.
No
Farmer
District
Village
Planting Date
Plot Size
1
2
Sayed Alem Chemtal Sarasyab June 18, 2009 5000.00m2
Aziz Rahman Balkh
Plas Posh July 10, 2009 5169.00m2
Total:
*. (+): Still there running costs until harvesting seeds.
No of
Trained Farmers
Costs (US $)
29
31
60
600.00 +
620.00 +
$ 1,220.00 +
To keep running this program
The AWATT-Forage program has contracted both farmers to produce seeds of the introduced forage pearl millet,
variety Shandawel-1 from Egypt. The land preparation, fertilizer, plantation, and seeds costs were covered by the
AWATT-Forage program. In addition to the fertilizer applications, irrigation and weed control costs were covered
during the growing period up to the maturity stage. The MAIL-extension agents at both Districts have been trained to
take care of all agricultural practices for seed production.
The AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has provided gratis the following agricultural materials for the
two seed production farm sites in Chemtal and Dehdadi:
1.
2.
3.
4.
200.00 Kg of chemical fertilizer (UREA 46% N).
200.00 Kg of chemical fertilizer (Phosphorous).
Seeds of forage Pearl Millet.
Training and technical assistances.
AWATT-Forage Program for Training Farmers:
Throughout the establishment stage up to the first cut of the forage on-farm demonstration plots, farmers were
trained by the AWATT-Forage team on the following best agricultural practices related to forage technology
transfer:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Land preparation for pearl millet, sorghum/Sudan hybrid, and local Jawari (yellow corn).
Method of fertilizer applications as well as kind and doses of fertilizer.
Method of plantation.
Irrigation regime and number of needed irrigations.
Weed control.
Plant thinning on pearl millet seed production plots.
Harvesting time.
8. Method of harvesting pearl millet and sorghum/Sudan hybrid.
9. Feeding methods for livestock.
10. Method Pearl Millet seed production
A large number of farmers and their invited neighbors, who have attended the entire establishment stage at the demo
plots, have received hands-on training on summer forage technology transfer as shown in Table (7):
Table 7. Number of trained farmers who have received hands-on training on the establishment of forage
demo plots and pearl millet seed production in five District of Balkh Province.
No District
Period of Training Number of Trained Farmers
Total Trained Farmers
On-Farm Demo Seed production
1
Dehdadi
June & July, 2009
203
203
2
Nahri Shahi June & July, 2009
136
136
3
Kholm
June & July, 2009
96
96
4
Chemtal
June & July, 2009
108
29
137
5
Balkh
June & July, 2009
83
31
114
Total:
626
60
686 Farmers
Farmer Job Opportunities:
The AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has spent US$3,500 in land preparation of 29 forage demo plots
on two farm sites for pearl millet seed production. Therefore, the program has created 875/days job opportunity for
tenant land farmers on AWATT-Forage demo plots. These farmers are among the most impoverished, very
susceptible to changing markets, and most importantly, they must be flexible to make a living. They are hard
workers, patient, and simply need reasonable job opportunities to feed their families.
AWATT-Forage Research & Training Program at MAIL-Dehdadi Research
Station:
The AWATT-forage team leader will establish working relationship and partnership with the Dehdadi Research
Station in Dehdadi District. AWATT-forage program objectives of our collaboration will be as follows:




Establish a number of forage trials.
Train MAIL’s researchers at the Dehdadi Research Station in applied forage research.
Strengthen the research base in forage production at MAIL in Balkh.
Report on results from trials with appropriate recommendations for varieties, seed rates,
fertilizer rates, and cutting regimes.
Accomplishments:
Three forage research trials have been carried out by the AWATT-Forage Program at MAIL’s Dehdadi Research
Station. At Dehdadi, trials include assessing performance of forage crops under differing fertilizer regiments,
assessing varietal performance of newly introduced forage crop varieties and local Jawari (yellow corn), observing
the performance characteristics of Pearl Millet seed production under standard conditions of the farm:
Forage Research Program:
First Experiment:
Title: Forage Yield Performance of Pearl millet, (Pennisetum glaucum), Sorghum/Sudan grass Hybrid
and Local Jawari (Yellow corn) under Dehdadi-Balkh Province conditions in Afghanistan.
Experimental Objectives:

To evaluate the fresh and dry matter yield of the three forage crops under Dehdadi conditions.

To recommend the best performing forage crop under Dehdadi conditions in Balkh Province.


To demonstrate and train MAIL-Researchers, Faculty and students in forage varietal research.
To produce a farmer field guide for farmers and extension agents in Dari about pearl millet best
agricultural practices.
Treatments:
a. Three Forage Crops:
1. Pearl Millet, variety Shandawil-1
2. Sorghum/Sudan Hybrid, variety Mabrouk
3. Local Jawari (Yellow corn)
Measurements:
1. Fresh forage yield
2. Dry matter percentage
3. Dry matter yield
4. Number of cuts
5. Plant height per cut
Experimental Design:
A Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications will be used.
Plot Size: 4x6 m = 24 m2
Experimental Plots
= (3 x 4) 24 = 288.00 m2
Walking Area
= (2 x 34) + 34 = 102.00 m2
Canals
= (34 x 2) + (15 x 8) = 188.00 m2
Total Experimental Area = 578.00 m2
Note: This experiment will be replicated on time next year in the same place.
Second Experiment:
Title:




Effect of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on the Forage Yield of Pearl Millet, (Pennisetum
glaucum), under Dehdadi-Balkh environmental conditions in Afghanistan.
Experimental Objectives:
To evaluate the fresh and dry matter yield of pearl millet under different N fertilizer rates.
To recommend the best N fertilizer rate for pearl millet under Dehdadi conditions in Balkh.
To demonstrate and train MAIL-Researchers, Faculty and students in forage fertilizer research.
To produce a farmer field guide for farmers and extension agents in Dari about the best N rate and fertilizer
application for pearl millet.
Forage Crop: Pearl Millet, (Pennisetum glaucum).
a.
1.
2.
3.
Treatments:
Three levels of fertilizer (Urea 46% N):
80.00 Kg/Acer
120.00 Kg/Acer
160.00 Kg/Acer
These three levels will be applied in three equal doses (15 days after emergence, after the first
cut, and after the second cut). Di-Ammonium Phosphates (48%P) and (18%N) will be applied
70.00 Kg/Acre; it will be applied at land preparation.
Measurements:
a. Fresh forage yield
b. Dry matter percentage
c. Dry matter yield
d. Number of cuts
e. Plant height per cut
Experimental Design:
A Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications will be used.
Plot Size: 4x6 m = 24 m2
Experimental Plots
= (3 x 4) 24 = 288.00 m2
Walking Area
= (2 x 34) + 34 = 102.00 m2
Canals
= (34 x 2) + (15 x 8) = 188.00 m2
Total Experimental Area = 578.00 m2
Total experimental area size = 578 +578 = 1156.00 m2
Third Experiment:
Observation plots of Pearl Millet Seed Production Performance Characteristics under Dehdadi
environmental conditions in Afghanistan.
Experimental Objectives:




To evaluate the seed production performance characteristics of forage pearl millet
under Dehdadi Research Station conditions.
To recommend the best agricultural practices for pearl millet seed production under
similar environmental conditions in Afghanistan
To produce a farmer field guide for farmers, seed producers, and extension agents in
Dari about forage pearl millet seed production technology.
To demonstrate and train MAIL-Researchers, seed producers, faculty and students in
forage pearl millet seed production technology.
Area Size: 2,844.00 m2
Pearl Millet seeds: Seeds have been sown in rows within plots of (5.0 x 6.0 m) in 20.0 cm a part.
Measurements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Planting date
Fertilizer application (120.0 Kg/acre)
Germination Percentage
Number of tillers
Number of tillers that carry head
Date of flowering
Date of maturity
Date of harvesting
Weight of seed per head
Seed Yield
Number of seeds per gram
Straw Yield (per m2)
Forage Training Program:
AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has accomplished the following objectives at the
MAIL-Dehdadi Research Station:
 Three national researchers at Dehdadi have been trained on forage research, layout design,
forage experimentation, data collection, fertilizer experiment, varietal experiment, and seed
production experiment.
 They have been responsible for applying treatments, applying agricultural practices, and
collecting data in cooperation with the AWATT-Forage Program.

We have been told that this is the first time that a full replicated research trial has been
carried out at Dehdadi. All previous works at the station have been to produce breeder
seeds of wheat and some screening lines of wheat in non-replicated experiments. So, that
this first attempt is to strengthen the research base in applied forage production at Dehdadi
research Station.
Forage Research Program at College of Agriculture:
The following forage varietal comparison trial was carried out at the College of Agriculture in the Agronomic
Research Farm at Balkh University in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Title:
Forage Yield Performance of Pearl millet, (Pennisetum glaucum), Sorghum/Sudan grass Hybrid
and Local Jawari (Yellow corn) under Dehdadi-Balkh Province Conditions in Afghanistan.
Experimental Objectives:
1.
2.
To evaluate the fresh and dry matter yield of the three forage crops under Dehdadi Conditions.
To recommend the best performing forage crop for Dehdadi conditions in Balkh Province.
3. To demonstrate and train MAIL-Researchers, Faculty and students in forage varietal research.
4. To produce a farmer field guide for farmers and extension agents in Dari about pearl millet best
agricultural practices.
Treatments:
b. Three Forage Crops:
4. Pearl Millet, variety Shandawil-1
5. Sorghum/Sudan Hybrid, variety Mabrouk
6. Local Jawari (Yellow corn)
Measurements:
6. Fresh forage yield
7. Dry matter percentage
8. Dry matter yield
9. Number of cuts
10. Plant height per cut
Experimental Design:
A Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications will be used.
Plot Size: 4x6 m = 24 m2
Experimental Plots
= (3 x 4) 24 = 288.00 m2
Walking Area
= (2 x 34) + 34 = 102.00 m2
Canals
= (34 x 2) + (15 x 8) = 188.00 m2
Total Experimental Area = 578.00 m2
Note: This experiment will be replicated on time next year in the same place.
This scientific research work has been done in full cooperation between AWATT-Forage program
and Professor Mir Abdul Qayyum Anssari, Dean of College of Agriculture. Throughout the
implementation of the forage experiment, the AWATT-Forage Technology Transfer Program has
accomplished the following objectives with the College of Agriculture at Balkh University: