An overview of field crops production: The case of Metekel Zone: A review

This review paper was designed to identify the major challenges of producing field crops, mainly cereals, remained the potential of metekel zone in terms of coverage and grain production of cereals, and familiarize the opportunities of producing field crops under the target area (metekel zone). Threats for the production of cereals under study area recognized, and management options suggested. Exploiting the potential of the area for the production of cereals clearly discussed by describing the opportunities linked to the study area. Overall, the information generated can help for further improvement of cereals for the specific area even for the region.

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Introduction

Ethiopia has a total area of 112 million hectares out which about 45% is arable. Overall, Ethiopia's natural resource base, the soil, the climate, the relative humidity the vegetation types are the foundations of agriculture. The different agro ecological zones, extensive arable land and high population in rural areas made Ethiopia an agrarian country. Agriculture is the mainstay of the national economy contributing about 46% of GDP, over 90% export and 83% of employment. Ethiopia is grouped under populous country in the world. Hence, to feed the people more food is expected to produce. Field crops, other than horticultural commodities, such as Teff, Maize, Sorghum, Rice, Millet, Wheat, Barley, Oat, and others play significant role in satisfying food security and earn foreign currency in the context of Ethiopia. Because these crops utilized by the people in different ways like traditional food preparation; by grinding the grain and obtaining flour; thus the flour is used for making poradge, injera (Ethiopian thin bread),locally made bread("Kita"), traditional drinks including "Tela", "Katikalla", "Borde", "Korefe", Soup, etc. In addition, in agricultural system of the country legume grains have been used in a mixed cropping system with cereals and other crops, mainly in crop rotation and intercropping [3] . The results of the year 2019/20 (2012 E.C.), Meher (Main) Season Post-harvest Crop Production Survey indicated that a total land area of about 12,862,778.84 hectares were covered by grain crops i.e. cereals, pulses and oilseeds, from which a total volume of about 335,199,823.90 quintals of grains obtained, from private peasant holdings (Table 1). The research and development works, for the improvement of field crops, started long time roughly half a century (since 1956). For this intensive work to come up with fruitful output different research and/or development activities undertaken mainly targeting for variety development, pest and disease control management, cropping system management (agronomy),quality improvement, postharvest loss management [10] , agricultural technologies /information extension and adoption, crop technologies maintenance and multiplication(including early generation seeds multiplication), awareness creation and training for different stakeholders particularly small scale farmers, seed growers, agro-processors, policy makers, investors, agricultural experts and supervisors. Metekel zone is one of the administrative zone under Benishangul Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia. It is potential for the production of field crops, lowland pulses (Common bean, Mungbean, Soybean, Pigeon pea, and Cowpea), Oilseeds (Sesame, Soybean, Groundnut, Noug, Castor) similar survey result was reported by [5] . Cereals dominated area and production of food grains followed by oilseeds and pulses in Metekel zone [1] . The area covered by grain crops during 2019/2020 main season under metekel zone was 157,896.65 hectares from this figure 105,975.29 hectares was shared by cereals. Similarly, the production gained from grain crops in 2019/2020 main season was 3,907,236.26 quintals, simultaneously cereals took great share and 3,065,158.00 quintals obtained [13] . ( Cereals are the principal class of crops in Ethiopia in terms of area coverage and volume of grain production; however, the production and productivity of cereals in Ethiopia has been seriously challenged by a multitude of biotic and abiotic stresses resulted the national average grain yield has been very low [15] . The national average of simulated yields of most crops (except maize) showed an overall decreasing (although not statistically significant) trend induced by past climate variability and changes [17] . Additionally, yield instability could be the result of changes in technology, changes in policy and changes in weather conditions [18] . Those area and production designated by "*" in all tables could not be reported because of high coefficient of variation (i.e. they are less reliable). However, they are consolidated in the total estimates. 2. In all tables "-" indicates not reported.

Crop category	Total area in (ha)	Share (%)	Total production in (Qt)	Share (%)
Cereals	10,478,218.03	81.46	296,726,476.94	88.52
Pulses	1,563,768.72	12.16	30,051,986.62	8.97
Oil Seeds	820,792.09	6.38	8,421,360.34	2.51
Grain crops	12,862,778.84	100.00	335,199,823.90	100.00

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Total Area and Production of Grain Crops (Ethiopia) for

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So far, at national level, more than eight hundred crop varieties have been officially registered / either for food or feed. However, the production of field crops in the current agroecological area is limited, due to several constraints mainly related with biological agents (pests and diseases), non-living factors (low or high temperature, frost, erratic rainfall, heat, storm, etc). Similar result was reported by [3] . Therefore, this review paper is initiated with the objective  To recall the suitability of the current study area for the production of field crops  To identify menace of field crops production under ethiopian condition mainly the region  To highlight opportunities of metekel zone agricultural production status

Major Challenges of Producing Field Crops Under Metekel Condition Pests and diseases

Due to climate change at global level currently several types of crop pests and diseases emerged. This phenomenon affected the production as well as the productivity of crops and crop varieties.

When it was compared with the previous years the production of field crops slightly seems declined under the currently assessed location. Based on the observation made so far the identified pests and diseases were MLN on Maize, Blast on rice [6] , FAW on Maize, Sorghum, Midge, Anthracnone on Sorghum [5] , Weevils on Maize, Sorghum, Beans, Blight on Sesame, Cercospora on Groundnut [5] , Leaf blotch on Soybean [5] , CBB on beans, and others. Despite maize's current high productivity, higher than other major cereal crops, it is still below its potential, mainly due to many biotic and abiotic factors causing yield losses [19] . The fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is among the major factors which have contributed to the low productivity of maize in Ethiopia since its introduction in February, 2017 [19] .

Shortage of access to mechanization

Metekel zone is preferred for mechanization because of conducive landscape. More than 75 percent of the farm work was implemented by labor; due to that little work was performed per day per man. However, majority of the small scale even large scale growers were unable to access to mechanization. Points related to this were; the high price of purchasing machineries, lack of skilled personnel on utilization of the machines, lack of access to bank loan to purchase simple machineries, shortage of access to spare parts, etc. The national average grain yield of cereals in Ethiopia is relatively low; this is due to the widespread use of low yielding varieties coupled with unimproved traditional practices that ultimately contribute to the low national average yield of major cereal in the country [15] .

Poor market linkage

Due to lack of standardized marketing system almost throughout the region, most growers (mainly small scale farmers) sell their produce with least price. Creating awareness about the relevance of marketing cooperatives and working more on community based roads development to solve marketing problems were forwarded as recommendations [7] .

Because along with the value chain there were middle men who had more advantage than the growers; they had enough information from end to end unlike to the growers. In Metekel zone, the main soybean value chain actors were producers, traders, unions, truck owners, drivers and input suppliers [20] .

Shortage of reasonable extension coverage

The final aim or goal of any agricultural research and development work is to assure all stakeholders (small scale farmers) become the owners of crop technologies or information generated otherwise mission not attained. This review paper supported the extension coverage of the area is limited to access to improved crop technologies and/or information. Similar research output is reported by [3] . To strengthen the extension services appropriate measures should be taken, such as, provision of related trainings, improvement of existing infrastructures, provision of the required inputs in time and quantity, and more [2] .

Weed competition

Weeds are unwanted plants where the area of crops grown. Because of high rainfall condition, the current locality (metekel zone) has high diversity of weed species, even parthenium hysterophorus L. widely distributed across the country and metekel zone severely affecting the biodiversity, crop, and animal production in the country [11] . The major factors raised by farmers as the cause of reduction of finger millet production in Metekel zone are weeds which can easily be controlled by hand weeding [4] . Thus, application of timely management options for the control of weeds is prerequisite.

Irrigation facility

The area is endowed with both surface and sub-surface water source. We do have yearly flowing rivers with huge volume of water. However, tendency towards the use of irrigation scheme seems limited. But some farmers tried to use gravity based irrigation practice, meaning majority of growers didn't have access to irrigation water due to shortage of money to buy water pumping generators, high cost of fuel and lubricants, chemicals, even the high cost of constructing irrigation canals, etc. Similar recommendation was suggested by [14] . Irrigation is developing rapidly. However, its contribution to the national economy is not significant when compared to rain-fed agriculture [16] .

High cost of agricultural inputs

Agricultural inputs are the engine of any product under agricultural sector. Farmers are advised to use and apply improved crop varieties and other inputs on their farms. However; the price of some commodities particularly hybrids [14] , synthetic fertilizers, chemicals (both insecticides and herbicides) is currently headache (because the cost increases over year). However, the application of inorganic fertilizer on majority of field crops except maize was insignificant [1] . Further, CBSM, training of seed growers (farmers), close follow-up, and monitoring could narrow the gap on utilization of improved crop varieties under metekel condition [8] .

Post-harvest losses

The farming practice of the area is not implemented by modern system; the land is ploughed by live animals, no well-established infrastructure, no planter, no harvester machine, no modern storage, even application of integrated farming sector is not that much developed. Due to these factors the yield loss happened almost every growing seasons. Estimates suggest that the magnitude of postharvest loss in Ethiopia was found tremendous for different cereal grains that can go as high as 30 to 50 percent [10] .

Opportunities

The study area, for the cultivation of field crops, has not only challenges but also bright future (opportunities). Some of the opportunities include participation of farmers on the adoption and use of crop technologies getting improved, the establishment of government owned agricultural research centers, installation of various agro-processing factories, conducive agro-ecology for the cultivation of crops, the nearby establishment of commodity exchange (ECX) [12] , enormous availability of natural resources such as virgin land, excess water source, fertile soil, cheap labor force, direct involvement of youth groups for agricultural works, close follow-up of agricultural experts. Ethiopian agriculture, including metekel zone, is rain fed dependent, however, it was believed that irrigation will play a significant role in the food security enhancement and economic development of Ethiopia, provided the efficient use of water is required [16] . The other golden opportunity particularly for national seed production includes enabling policy environment, strong institutional support for quality seed production, modernization of agriculture and increased seed demand, favorable opportunities for collaborative research partnership, and Capacity building initiatives [9] .

Conclusion

For this assessment task the various field crops for the evaluation area documented. The current study area (metekel zone) is favorable for the production of field crops regardless of biotic and abiotic causes hindrance the crops to express their genetic potential. The major threats for the production of field crops under the regional state (Benishangul Gumuz) specifically metekel zone screened, documented and to be suggested for further evaluations. Opportunities of the study area become an indicator for improving cereals and thereby to secure food deficit even earn hard currency.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe author thanks those authors who publicize the information targeting the area and Pawe Agricultural Research Center for the facilitation and coordination of the work.

Figures and tables from the paper

No.	Country	Population (2020)	Yearly change	Net change	Density (P/km2)	Land area (km2)	Migrants (net)	Fertility Rate	Med. Age	Urban Pop	World share
1	China	1,439,323,776	0.39%	5,540,090	153	9,388,211	-348,399	1.7	38	61%	18.47%
2	India	1,380,004,385	0.99%	13,586,631	464	2,973,190	-532,687	2.2	28	35%	17.70%
3	United States	331,002,651	0.59%	1,937,734	36	9,147,420	954,806	1.8	38	83%	4.25%
4	Indonesia	273,523,615	1.07%	2,898,047	151	1,811,570	-98,955	2.3	30	56%	3.51%
5	Pakistan	220,892,340	2.00%	4,327,022	287	770,880	-233,379	3.6	23	35%	2.83%
6	Brazil	212,559,417	0.72%	1,509,890	25	8,358,140	21,200	1.7	33	88%	2.73%
7	Nigeria	206,139,589	2.58%	5,175,990	226	910,770	-60,000	5.4	18	52%	2.64%
8	Bangladesh	164,689,383	1.01%	1,643,222	1,265	130,170	-369,501	2.1	28	39%	2.11%
9	Russia	145,934,462	0.04%	62,206	9	16,376,870	182,456	1.8	40	74%	1.87%
10	Mexico	128,932,753	1.06%	1,357,224	66	1,943,950	-60,000	2.1	29	84%	1.65%
11	Japan	126,476,461	-0.30%	-383,840	347	364,555	71,560	1.4	48	92%	1.62%
12	Ethiopia	114,963,588	2.57%	2,884,858	115	1,000,000	30,000	4.3	19	21%	1.47%
13	Philippines	109,581,078	1.35%	1,464,463	368	298,170	-67,152	2.6	26	47%	1.41%
14	Egypt	102,334,404	1.94%	1,946,331	103	995,450	-38,033	3.3	25	43%	1.31%
15	Vietnam	97,338,579	0.91%	876,473	314	310,070	-80,000	2.1	32	38%	1.25%
16	DR Congo	89,561,403	3.19%	2,770,836	40	2,267,050	23,861	6	17	46%	1.15%
17	Turkey	84,339,067	1.09%	909,452	110	769,630	283,922	2.1	32	76%	1.08%
18	Iran	83,992,949	1.30%	1,079,043	52	1,628,550	-55,000	2.2	32	76%	1.08%
19	Germany	83,783,942	0.32%	266,897	240	348,560	543,822	1.6	46	76%	1.07%
20	Thailand	69,799,978	0.25%	174,396	137	510,890	19,444	1.5	40	51%	0.90%

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Countries in the world by population (2020)

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Crop	Number of holders	Area in hectares	Production in Quintals	Yield (Qt/ha)
Grain Crops	111, 796	157,896.65	3,907,236.26
Cereals	109, 592	105,975.29	3,065,158.00
Teff	26, 428	22,061.86	372,195.59	16.87
Barley	*	*	*	*
Wheat	*	*	*	*
Maize	98, 031	34,141.09	1,475,683.57	43.22
Sorghum	20, 671	15, 150.60	424,276.26	28
Finger millet	34, 226	27, 266.62	607,514.91	22.28
Oats/'Aja'	-	-	-	-
Rice	11, 134	*	*	*
Pulses	47, 465	13, 200.99	287,599.36
Faba beans	12, 512	744.11	14,075.07	18.92
Field peas	*	*	*	*
White haricot beans	*	*	*	*
Red Haricot beans	4,428	*	*	*
Red Chick-peas	*	*	*	*
White Chick-peas	-	-	-	-
Lentils	-	-	-	-
Grass peas	*	*	*	*
Soybeans	29,318	10,817.61	244,228.06	22.58
Fenugreek	-	-	-	-
Mung bean /"Masho"	-	-	-	-
Gibto	*	*	*	*
Oilseeds	50,045	38,720.37	554,478.90
Neug	6,330	3,713.66	*	*

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Area, Production and Yield of Crops for private Peasant holdings for 2019/2020 Main Season under Metekel Zone

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