Project 1: Prepare field crop production plan

Case Scenario: Assume you are a farm manager in Metema Woreda, North Gonder, Amhara region
sesame producing farm. The total area allocated for sesame production is 250 ha. You plan to grow
Gonder type sesame with the amount of 5 kg/ha seed rate with spacing of 40cm between rows,10cm
between plants and the expected maturity date of the selected variety is 120 days. The amount of NPS and
urea fertilizer required for 1ha is 100 kg and 50 kg respectively. The recommended chemicals for pest
control are Roundup (for weed control) and Malathion 50% EC for sesame seed bug ( Elasmolomus
sordidus) control. The application rates are 1litter and 2 liter per hectare for Roundup and Malathion 50%
EC respectively. The expected yield is 8 quintal per hectare and you made an agreement to sell your
product to the local farmer’s cooperative union with 10,000 ETB per quintal. The expected planting
season is from May first week to the first week of June. In order to avoid labor shortage and minimize
shattering loss during harvesting you advised to plant week after week by dividing the whole area into 4
major plots (percales).

Estimated costs

Item Estimated cost (ETB)

Improved Seed 8000 ETB/quintal

NPS 5000 ETB/quintal

Urea 4500 ETB/quintal

Herbicide (Roundup and) 400 ETB/liter

Insecticide (Malathion 50% EC) 500 ETB/liter

Total Labor cost 2,800,000 ETB

Total Fuel and lubricants cost 700,000 ETB

Tax 500,000 ETB

Other costs 112,600 ETB

 Instruction: Under this task the candidate is expected to prepare sesame production plan and estimate the
profitability of the farm based on the information provided above.
 Calculate the amount and cost of inputs required for the farm
 Calculate production cost
 Estimated total production (yield) in quintals?
 Estimated total Selling price in ETB?
 Estimate profitability of the farm
 Prepare sesame production plan
Calculate The Necessary Information For Your Sesame Production Plan:
1 Amount and Cost of Inputs Required:

Seed Rate :=5 kg/ha

Total Area =250 hectares
Total Seed Required: = 250 ha x 5kg/ha
= 1250kg
Cost of Improved Seed: = 1250kg x 8000 ETB/quintal
= 1,000,000ETB
Fertilizer Requirements:
NPS 100 kg/ha =250haX100kg/ha
= 25,000 kg NPS
Urea 50 kg/ha = 250ha X 50 kg/ha
= 12,500kgUREA
Total Fertilizer Cost = 25,000kg + 12,500kg X 5000 ETB/quintal
= 187,500,000 ETB
Herbicide (Roundup):
Application rate: 1 liter/ha
Total Herbicide Cost: = 250ha X 1liter/ha X 400 ETB/liter
= 100,000 ETB
Insecticide (Malathion 50% EC):
Application rate: 2 liters/ha
Total Insecticide Cost: = 250 ha x 2liters/ha x 500 ETB/liter
= 250,000 ETB
 2 Production Cost:
Total Cost:= 1,000,000 + 187,500,000 + 100,000 + 250,000 + 2,800,000 + 700,000 + 500,000 + 112,600
= 193,262,600 ,ETB
3 Estimated Total Production (Yield):

Expected yield: 8 quintal/ha

Total yield = 250ha x 8 quintal/ha
= 2000 quintal
4.Estimated Total Selling Price:
Selling price per quintal: =10,000 ETB
Total selling price = 2000quintal s x 10,000 ETB/quintal
= 20,000,000 , ETB

5 Profitability of the Farm:

Profit: Profit = Total Selling Price - Total Cost

= 20,000,000 - 193,262,600
= -173,262,600 ETB
The farm is currently operating at a loss.OR negative
6. Production Plan:
Divide the 250 hectares into 4 major plots (percales) and plant week after week to avoid labor shortage and
minimize shattering loss during harvesting.
Plant Gonder type sesame with the specified spacing and follow recommended pest control practices.

Remember to closely monitor the crop, manage pests, and optimize production practices to improve
profitability.

Project 2: Prepare Horticultural crops propagation and production plan

Case Scenario: Assume that you have three hectares of land to produce sweet potato for commercial
purpose. In order to get quality planting material, you establish seedling producing nursery in your farm.
In order to grow the seedling, you will plan to use commercially prepared seedling pot.
 Given:

 The field spacing of sweet potato is 70 cm and 30 cm between rows and plants respectively.
 From your previous experience your nursery has 2% failurity rate before transplanting.
 Total cost of management from propagation up to transplanting is 1 birr per seedling
 Seedling production requires 2 months and after transplanting the crop reaches maturity within 3
months.
Task 1: Plan and Implement Sweet potato propagation

Time allotted: 40 minutes

 How many seedlings are required including contingency for three hectares of your farm land?
 What is the total cost of seedling production?
 Prepare propagation plan
 Perform sweet potato propagation by stem cutting (vine cutting)
the steps for sweet potato propagation and calculate the necessary seedlings and costs:
1 . Seedling Requirement:
we have three hectares of land.
The field spacing for sweet potatoes is 70 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants.
To calculate the number of seedlings needed, let’s first find the total area in square meters:
Three hectares is equivalent to 30,000 square meters (since 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters).
The spacing between rows is = 70 cm, which is = 0.7 meters.
The spacing between plants is = 30 cm, which is = 0.3 meters.
The area occupied by each plant is = spacing b/n row x spacing b/n plant
= 0.7 m × 0.3 m
= 0.21m square meters . for the each plan area.
Therefore, the total number of seedlings required is:
Total Number of seedlings = Total area
Area per plant
= 30,000/0.21
= 142,857
Considering a 2% or 0.02 failure rate, let’s add a contingency:
Total seedlings with contingency = 142,857 +( 0.02 x 142,857)
= 145,714

2. Total Cost of Seedling Production:

The cost per seedling is = 1 birr.
Therefore, the total cost of seedling production is:
Total cost = Number of seedlings with contingency x Cost per seedling
= 145,714 x 1birr
= 145,714 birr
3. Propagation Plan:
 To propagate sweet potatoes, we will use stem cuttings (vines).
Here are the steps:
 Create Slips:
 Start indoors 2 to 3 months before the last frost in spring.
 Make the sweet potato produce slips by placing it vertically in a jar of warm water.
 Change the water every few days.
Root the Slips:
Once slips have developed roots, transplant them outside after the last frost.
4. Alternative Method: OR Performance
 Slice the sweet potato lengthwise and plant each piece cut-side down in moist potting mix.
 Ensure the potting mix is made for food crops.
 Keep the sweet potato slips well-watered.
 .Roots will develop, and the slips will grow.

Remember to monitor the seedlings’ growth and provide proper care during the propagation
process. Good luck with your sweet potato production

Project 3: Perform Organic Farming Operations

Case Scenario: Assume you are working in private Black cumin producing farm located in southern parts
of Ethiopia; that produce large volume of conventional seed and plan to export to Europe. The farm
negotiates and get premium price for special organic Black cumin seed and you are assigned to establish
an organic Black cumin farm.
Information:
 The total area for organic Black cumin production is 20 hectares
 Organic fertilizer application rate 120 q/ha
 Black cumin planting time June
 1m3 of compost pit yields 6 quintals of matured compost
 The prepared compost is ready for application after 3 months
 Instruction: Based on the above information the candidate is expected to perform the following
activities:
 Calculate the volume of compost required for the total farm
 How many m3of compost pit is required?
 Prepare compost preparation and application plan for your black cumin farm
Based On The Provided Information:
1. Volume of Compost Required for the Total Farm:
The total area for organic Black cumin production is = 20 hectares.
The organic fertilizer application rate is = 120 quintal per hectare (q/ha).
To calculate the total volume of compost required, we multiply the area by the application rate: Total compost
volume = Area x Application rate
Total compost volume = 20 hectare x 120 q/ha
= 2400 quintal s
2.Compost Pit Calculation:
Given that 1 m³ of compost pit yields 6 quintal of matured compost, we can find the number of
compost pits needed:
Number of compost pits} = Total compost volume
Compost yield per pit
Number of compost pits = 2400 quintal = 400 pits of composts
6 , quintal/pit
3.Compost Preparation and Application Plan:
Compost Preparation:
Start by
 creating compost pits with a volume of 1 m³ each.
 Fill each pit with organic material (such as crop residues, kitchen waste, etc.).
 Turn the compost regularly to ensure proper decomposition.
 After 3 months, the prepared compost will be ready for application.
Compost Application:
Apply the matured compost evenly across the 20-hectare Black cumin farm during the planting season
in June.
Incorporate the compost into the soil is
 to improve its fertility and nutrient content.
 To monitor the crop’s response to the organic fertilizer and adjust the application rate if necessary.
 Remember to follow organic farming practices,is
 to maintain soil health,
 to ensure sustainable production of high-quality organic Black cumin seeds.
Project 4: Conduct soil test and Prepare Soil Fertility Management Plan
Information: Assume that you are technical manager at Buno Bedele area. Based on the soil laboratory
analysis the farm is highly affected by soil acidity. The total area of the farm is 10 ha and planting season
of the area is May.
Instruction: Prepare three-year soil acidity amendment work plan if the recommendation rate is 15
quintals per hectare of lime. The recommended rate is decreased by 25 % and 50 % in the second and
third years respectively. Based on the provided information:
 Prepare acidity amendment plan by considering required amount per year, the time of
application and planting
 Calculate required amount per year.
Prepare acidity amendment plan by considering required amount per year, the time of application and
planting 

Calculate required amount per year.

Create a three-year soil acidity amendment plan for the Buno Bedelle area based on the provided
information:

Initial Assessment:

The farm area is 10 hectares.

Soil acidity is a concern, and the recommended rate for lime application is 15 quintal per hectare.
Yearly Amendment Plan:
Year 1 (First Year):
Required Lime Amount: = 10 hectares x 15 quintal/hectare = 150 quintal.
Time of Application: Apply the lime before planting, ideally during soil preparation in May.
Planting Season: May.
Lime Amount Applied: 150 quintal.
 Year 2 (Second Year):
Recommended Rate Decrease: Reduce the recommended rate by 25%.
Required Lime Amount:= 150,quintal x 0.75 = 112.5,quintal.
Time of Application: Apply the reduced amount of lime before planting in May.
Planting Season: May.
Lime Amount Applied: 112.5 quintal.
Year 3 (Third Year):
Recommended Rate Decrease: Further reduce the recommended rate by 50%.
Required Lime Amount = 150 quintal x 0.5 = 75 quintal.
Time of Application: Apply the reduced amount of lime before planting in May.
Planting Season: May.
Lime Amount Applied: 75 quintal.
1. Summary:
Total Lime Amount Applied Over 3 Years: = 150 + 112.5 + 75 = 337.5, quintal

Remember to monitor soil pH levels regularly and adjust the lime application as needed to maintain
optimal soil conditions for Black cumin cultivation.
Project 5: Perform Irrigation Operations

Information: Assume you are assigned as a technical manager in Arbaminch horticulture producing
farm. The union will plan to produce onion crop in 1ha of land. The soil type of the farm is sandy loam
and the net irrigation depths 20mm. The application efficiency of the furrow irrigation is 40 %. The
growing period of the selected variety is 120 days and the transplanting was conducted in November 1 st.
The evapotranspiration (ETo) and the crop factors (Kc) for each month is provided below in the table.

Month ETo (mm/day) Kc factor

November 3.1 0.7
December 4.1 0.9
January 5.2 1.1
March 5.8 1.8

Based on the provided information:

A. Calculate Gross irrigation depth (mm)?

B. Calculate the daily and monthly crop water requirements for each month

C. Total Crop water required for the whole growing season?

D. Determine the number of irrigation application over the total growing season?
 E. Calculate the irrigation interval in days

calculate the necessary irrigation parameters based on the provided information:

A. Gross Irrigation Depth:

The net irrigation depth is given as = 20 mm.
The application efficiency of furrow irrigation is = 40%. or 0.4
To find the gross irrigation depth, we use the formula:
Gross Irrigation Depth = Net Irrigation Depth
Application Efficiency
Gross Irrigation Depth} = 20 , mm
0.4
= 50 ,mm

B. Daily and Monthly Crop Water Requirements:

Calculate the crop water requirements for each month using the provided ETo (evapotranspiration) and Kc
(crop factor):
1. November:
(ETo) = 3.1 mm/day
(Kc) = 0.7
Daily crop water requirement: = ETo x Kc = 3.1 x 0.7 = 2.17 ,mm/day
Monthly crop water requirement: = 2.17 x 30 = 65.1 mm
2. December:
(ETo) = 4.1 mm/day
(Kc) = 0.9
Daily crop water requirement = ETo x Kc = 4.1 x 0.9 = 3.69 , mm/day
crop water requirement: = 3.69 x 31 = 114.39 ,mm
3.January:
(ETo) = 5.2 mm/day
(Kc) = 1.1
Daily crop water requirement:= ETo x Kc = 5.2 x 1.1 = 5.72 ,mm/day
Monthly crop water requirement:= 5.72 x 31 = 177.32 mm
3. March:
(ETo) = 5.8 mm/day
(Kc) = 1.8
Daily crop water requirement: = ETo x Kc =5.8 x 1.8 = 10.44 mm/day
Monthly crop water requirement: = 10.44 x 31 = 323.64 mm/month

C. Total Crop Water Required for the Whole Growing Season:

Sum of monthly crop water requirements: = 65.1 + 114.39 + 177.32 + 323.64 = 680.45mm

D. Number of Irrigation Applications:

The growing period is 120 days.
Divide the total crop water requirement by the gross irrigation depth:
Number of Irrigation Applications = Total Crop Water Requirement
Gross Irrigation Depth
Number of Irrigation Applications = 680.45 mm
50 , mm
= 13.61 or 13
Since we can’t have a fraction of an irrigation application, we’ll round down to 13 applications.

E. Irrigation Interval in Days:

Divide the growing period by the number of irrigation applications:
Irrigation Interval = Growing Period
Number of Irrigation Applications
Irrigation Interval = 120days = approx 9.23 , days
13

Remember to adjust the irrigation schedule based on actual weather conditions and crop needs during the
growing season.