The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different in-situ water harvesting structures as soil moisture conservation techniques under maize crop production in Abela Sippa kebele Wolaita zone, Ethiopia where rainfall variation is affecting agriculture with prolonged dry spells during critical crop growth stages. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tie-ridge and Zai pits. Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were highly significant (p<0.05) on Targa. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher in Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Maize yield of (7150 kg ha-1), (6190 kg ha-1), (4500 kg ha-1) and (4900 kg ha-1) was obtained from Targa, Tie ridge, Zai pits and Control, respectively. Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712 and 25164 kg ha-1) than Control (20370 kg ha-1) and Zai (14350 kg ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques could play great role in improving crop yield in dry periods. However, the utilization of the technology is surrounded by various constraints. The major constraints include labour, cost, lack of knowledge and crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power ,and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge). Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(1): 71-79, June 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of some In-situ water harvesting techniques on production of maize with respect to soil moisture content, yield and yield components. It also aimed to assess farmers' perception of water conservation techniques. To achieve these objectives of the study, data were collected through house hold survey and field experiment. The experiment was conducted in Wolaita Zone Humbo Woreda at Abela Sippa kebele, which has an irregular rain fall distribution and has a prolonged dry season which leads to low soil moisture during critical crop growth stages. The study was conducted over a period of one growing season (2017/18) using maize as indicator crop at the farmers training center of the Abela Sippa kebele. The experiment was made in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tieridge and Zai pits . Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were significantly high (p<0.05) at Targa treatments, but plant height was not significantly different. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher at Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Targa treatments increased maize yield to (7.15 t/ha), Tie ridge also significantly increased maize production to (6.19t/ha). Similarly, Zai pits yielded (4.5t/ha) and Control treatment yielded (4.9 t/ha). Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712, and 25164 ha-1) than the Control (20370ha-1) and Zai (14350 ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the rainwater harvesting technology by the community members was a good initiative in improving agricultural practices in periods of water scarcity. However, the utilization of the technology is affected by various constraints. The major constraints include: labor cost, lack of knowledge and types of crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power, and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge).