The effect of farmers' farming practices on wheat productivity during winter season (2019-2020) (Abu Jen, Alaric and Ras-Elfil Taftish - Al-Jazeera scheme)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the farming practices of wheat farmers in the Jazeera Scheme and their effect on Wheat productivity per-feddan. To achieve that goal, two questions must be addressed. The first question is: What are farming practices followed by farmers linked to wheat productivity per-feddan? And the second: Are these farming practices related to wheat productivity per-feddan according to research recommendations?. The study focused on the Agricultural Research corporation recommended practices by the wheat research program. That related to land preparation, sowing date, wheat verities, knowledge of sowing depth, Seeds rate per-feddan, number and duration of irrigation, fertilization schedule and type per-feddan, and add time, knowledge of the appropriate time for fertilizing application, productivity per feddan and cost of farming. A social survey method was used. 100 farmers were selected randomly (Due to the limited capacities available for the study). 25 farmers from Abu Jen Taftish, 25 farmers from Alaric Taftish, and 50 farmers from Ras-Elfil Taftish. Some of that Taftish had irrigation problems (thirst) during the season like Abu Jen and Alaric Taftish. And other hadn't irrigation problems during the season like Ras-Elfil Taftish. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The data were analyzed by computer through (SPSS) software to extract the frequency and percentage to describe the farming practices followed by the farmers. The Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation were used to test the hypothesis which states: the farming practices followed by the farmers did not affect the wheat productivity during the winter agricultural season 2019-2020. The most important results of the study indicated that the practices followed by the farmers regarding the sowing date, number, and duration of irrigation and fertilization had a decisive positive role on the wheat productivity per-feddan. The study recommended several recommendations to the authorities concerned, the most important of which are: The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and Aljazeera Scheme Administration must provide irrigation water for the planned cultivation areas until the end of the season. With a commitment by farmers to at least 8-9 waterings during the crop life cycle. And must establish demonstration fields to teach farmers the irrigation processes by the Agricultural Extension department in the Scheme. The necessity for Agricultural Extension Department in Aljazeera Scheme to train farmers on how to follow an agricultural cycle and not repeat planting the same crops on the same land, and add Municipal fertilizer every five years to improve soil components.