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AbstractEnhancing forage production through organic fertilization is an important option for smallholder farmers. In north-western Ethiopia, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and Desmodium intortum intercropping on the morphological characteristics, dry matter yield, and crude protein yield of Napier and desho grass, as well as their effects on soil physicochemical properties. The experiment was carried out in three replications using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements at the Aba Gerima and Guder watersheds, which represent midland and highland agro-ecologies, respectively. The treatments used were Napier or desho grass alone [control], Napier or desho with Desmodium, Napier or desho with FYM, and Napier or desho combined with Desmodium and FYM. The results showed that fertilizer treatments had positive influence on morphological characteristics in both watersheds. The dry matter yield and crude protein yield were higher (p

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is a means of reducing the demand for increased land resources. A field experiment was conducted at two major finer millet producing areas of northwestern Ethiopia from 2017 to 2018 cropping seasons with the objective of assessing land use efficiency, profitability, and productivity of finger milt in finger millet-legume additive design intercropping. Factorial combinations of two legume crops (haricot bean and lupine) intercropped with finger millet, two planting methods (row and mixed) and three finger millet-legume planting ratios (100%:75%, 100%:50% and 100%:25% of the recommended seed rate of sole crops) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Two sole crop finger millets (planted in rows and broadcast) and two sole crop legumes (haricot bean and lupine) were included for comparison purposes. Results revealed that the primary objective of maintaining the “full” grain yield of finger millet in an intercropping was achieved in finger millet-haricot bean row intercropping at 100:25 (2.68 tone ha-1) and100:50 (2.72 tone ha-1) planting ratios. Average over the three scenarios, the latter cropping system (65%) and finger millet haricot bean intercropping at 100:75 planting ratio (56%) gave significantly higher yield advantage over sole cropping of finger millet and haricot bean separately. Maximum marginal rate of return was observed in finger millet-lupine mixed intercropping (1281%) and finger millet-haricot bean row intercropping (1175%). Thus, it could be concluded that the latter cropping system could be used for improving household food security to smallholder farmers by increasing the productivity of finger millet, land use efficiency, and profitability.