Pre-extension demonstration of improved faba bean technologies in Bale zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

On-farm participatory demonstration of improved faba bean technologies was carried out in Dinsho and Goba districts of Bale zone in 2017 production season. The objectives of the study were to demonstrate and evaluate improved faba bean technologies in order to enhance farmers to select the best fit variety/ies for their localities based on farmers’ selection criteria. Recently released faba bean varieties, namely, Dosha, Gora and Moti were planted at two kebeles of Dinsho district (for Nitosol area) where as Didea, Hachalu and Walki were planted at two kebeles of Goba District (for Vertisol area) with recommended packages. The demonstration was undertaken on single plot design of 10m x 10m area for each variety with the spacing of 40cm between rows and recommended seed rate based on the size of the seed and 100 kg/ha NPS fertilizer rate. Mini-field day was organized at each respective site on which different stakeholders were participated, participatory evaluation of the varieties was made and experiences were shared. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics. Farmers’ preferences were identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. At Dinsho, the mean yield of Dosha variety was 23.75qt/ha and had 31.94% yield advantage over the check. It is also preferred by the farmers. At Goba, the mean yield of Didea variety was 20.6qt/ha and had 4.04% yield advantage over the check. It is also preferred by the farmers. Participant farmers were enhanced to set their own selection criteria and the most important were tillering capacity, pod per plant, seed per plant, seed size, well adapted to the environment, disease free and has no loading problem. Thus, Dosha variety (for Nitosl) and Didea variety (for Vertisol) were recommended for further scaling up/out activity in all demonstration sites and similar agro-ecologies.