Promotion of improved faba bean technologies through community based seed multipliers in Bale zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

This scaling up/out activity was initiated with the main objective of popularizing and disseminating proven faba bean technologies as well as to serve as a break crop for malt barley production. Dinsho and Goba districts of Bale zone were selected purposively based on their potential for faba bean production. A total of ۵۰qt Walki and ۱۳۵qt Gabalcho were distributed to ۲۷۴ farmers and planted on ۱۰۳ha in ۲۰۱۶ and ۲۰۱۷ cropping season. The spacing of ۴۰cm between rows with the recommended seed rate of ۱۸۰ kg/ha and fertilizer rate ۱۰۰ kg NPS was applied during row planting time. Training was given to more than ۸۰۰ hundred farmers and other stakeholders on faba bean production and management packages. Field days and field visits were organized to evaluate the performance and to communicate on field progress of the varieties. A total of ۴۶۶ individuals were participated on these promotional events during the project period. Yield data was recorded and analyzed using mean while farmers’ feedback about the technology was assessed and interpreted using qualitative narration. The result of descriptive statics revealed that the overall mean yield of Walki and Gabalcho were ۳۶ and ۳۳qt ha-۱ respectively. All participant farmers were interested with the stands of the two varieties in terms of pods per plant, seeds per pod, seeds per plant, stem strength, good plant height, disease tolerance, relative yield advantage and seed size. The gross income/benefit obtained as a result of using the improved varieties of faba bean (Walki and Gabalcho) was ۶۴,۸۰۰.۰۰ ETB and ۵۹,۴۰۰.۰۰ ETB per hectare, respectively. But, the gross marginal profit was ۴۵,۸۳۰.۰۰ ETB and ۴۰,۴۳۰.۰۰ ETB for Walki and Gabalcho, respectively. Since, the varieties widely accepted by the target community (especially Walki on Vertisol), the Agricultural and Natural Resource office in all levels in collaboration with other stakeholders should focus on the extension and popularization of the varieties with the recommended full packages.This scaling up/out activity was initiated with the main objective of popularizing and disseminating proven faba bean technologies as well as to serve as a break crop for malt barley production. Dinsho and Goba districts of Bale zone were selected purposively based on their potential for faba bean production. A total of ۵۰qt Walki and ۱۳۵qt Gabalcho were distributed to ۲۷۴ farmers and planted on ۱۰۳ha in ۲۰۱۶ and ۲۰۱۷ cropping season. The spacing of ۴۰cm between rows with the recommended seed rate of ۱۸۰ kg/ha and fertilizer rate ۱۰۰ kg NPS was applied during row planting time. Training was given to more than ۸۰۰ hundred farmers and other stakeholders on faba bean production and management packages. Field days and field visits were organized to evaluate the performance and to communicate on field progress of the varieties. A total of ۴۶۶ individuals were participated on these promotional events during the project period. Yield data was recorded and analyzed using mean while farmers’ feedback about the technology was assessed and interpreted using qualitative narration. The result of descriptive statics revealed that the overall mean yield of Walki and Gabalcho were ۳۶ and ۳۳qt ha-۱ respectively. All participant farmers were interested with the stands of the two varieties in terms of pods per plant, seeds per pod, seeds per plant, stem strength, good plant height, disease tolerance, relative yield advantage and seed size. The gross income/benefit obtained as a result of using the improved varieties of faba bean (Walki and Gabalcho) was ۶۴,۸۰۰.۰۰ ETB and ۵۹,۴۰۰.۰۰ ETB per hectare, respectively. But, the gross marginal profit was ۴۵,۸۳۰.۰۰ ETB and ۴۰,۴۳۰.۰۰ ETB for Walki and Gabalcho, respectively. Since, the varieties widely accepted by the target community (especially Walki on Vertisol), the Agricultural and Natural Resource office in all levels in collaboration with other stakeholders should focus on the extension and popularization of the varieties with the recommended full packages.

Keywords:

Popularization , Dissemination , Walki , Gabalcho , Community based , Farmers’ feedback , Yield