Sorghum is the most important staple crop for Konso people. It is very important crop for food security of the area as food for the households and feed for livestock. Therefore this study is conducted to assess the level of sorghum... more
Sorghum is the most important staple crop for Konso people. It is very important crop for food security of the area as food for the households and feed for livestock. Therefore this study is conducted to assess the level of sorghum diversity in Konoso special district. To meet this objective three sorghum growing Kebeles, namely Arfyidie, Fasha and Gaho were selected based on the dominance of cultivated are of sorghum in the district. A total of 190households were selected randomly based on probability proportional to size technique. Households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results of the study revealed that a total of 12 sorghum varieties under cultivation were recorded which indicate the decline of sorghum diversity in Konso compared to the study conducted 20 years ago that found24 varieties. High diversity in terms of varieties richness were found at Fash(Mg = 2.57) followed by Gaho(Mg= 2.55)kebeles. Arfayide kebele was found to be less diverse in terms of number of varieties (Mg = 1.62). Poisson regression model that was applied to estimate determinant factor of sorghum intra-specific diversity showed that while demographic characteristics (sex, age and farm experience), socioeconomic factors (farm size, and annual income), institutional linkage (participation in cooperatives, market distance)and biophysical factor such as altitude affected intra-specific diversity positively and significantly crop diversity and frequency of development agent visit affect negatively. This implies that there is a need of awareness creation on diversity for development agents, women empowerment, capacitating cooperatives and systematic germplasim collection.
