On farm demonstration of lentil technologies at highlands of Guji Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Highland areas of Guji zone is high potential for lentil production. However, farmers are not intensively engaged on lentil due to lack of improved varieties. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate lentil varieties on farmers land. This activity was done at Bore and Ana Sora districts to evaluate yield and profitability of improved lentil varieties, to assess farmers’ preference and to create farmers’ knowledge and skills on lentil production during 2019 year. From each district, three kebeles were selected based on suitability for lentil production. At each kebele 15 farmers were selected and grouped as one Farmers Research Group (FRG). At each FRG there were three experimental farmers. Alemaya and Derash varieties were demonstrated on plot size of 100 m² area by 20 cm space between rows and drilling seed in the row with recommended seed and fertilizer rates. Training, exchange visit between experimental farmers and field day was used to improve farmer-to-farmer learning on lentil production. Data was collected by observation, measurement and interview and analyzed by descriptive statistics and qualitative narration was used to analyze farmers’ feedback. Profitability of lentil varieties were analyzed by net farm income. The result of demonstration revealed that Alemaya variety gave 10.02 qt/ha and 4.72 qt/ha was obtained from Derash variety. Even though both varieties susceptible to rust and pod borer during production year, Alemaya variety selected as first based on yield, farmers preference and economic returns. With support of agro chemicals that control rust and pod borer Alemaya variety was recommended for pre scaling up in highlands of Guji zone and similar agro ecologies of the area.