International Journal of Research in Agricultural Sciences

Volume 8, Issue 3, ISSN (Online): 2348 – 3997

Participatory Demonstration and On-farm

Evaluation of Improved Bread Wheat Technologies
in Highland Area of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia
Dilamo Adila Hando 1*, Kasahun Kabata Gemeyda 2 and Kebede Kassu Sagara 2
1
Southern Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box. 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
2
Jinka Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box 96, Jinka, Ethiopia.

Date of publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 12/05/2021

Abstract – Ethiopia has an enormous scope and potential for increasing wheat productivity, though, it is pre-
dominantly cultivated by small holder farmers at a subsistence level. Therefore, the demonstration was undertaken to
introduce the best adapted and performing improved bread wheat varieties in the area. Target farmers were selected
purposively based on availability of suitable farm land, willingness to participate and undertake management
practice of the demonstration fields of his/her own land. Both on farm and practical trainings were given to target
farmers and FREG members in the area. Field day was conducted at crop maturity stage to facilitate experience
sharing among farmers and other stakeholders in the area. Data on farmers’ preferences, grain yields, and inputs
and labor costs and yield prices were collected using appropriated data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics
and likert scale ranking were used to analysis the data. Wane variety was selected first due to its high resistance to
disease, good spike length, early maturity and good plants height. The highest grain yield of 4.47 t/ha and the net
income gain of 37,144 ETB were obtained from wane variety when compared to others varieties demonstrated in the
area. Therefore, use of improved wane wheat variety significantly helps farmers to improve wheat productivity in the
area.

Keywords – Bread Wheat Variety, Participatory Demonstration, Field Day, Yield, Preference.

I. INTRODUCTION

In Ethiopia, crop production and marketing are the dominant means of livelihoods for millions of smallholder
households and it contributes to the county’s GDP accounting approximately 28% from the sub-sectors of
agriculture [9]. Grain crops such as cereals, pulses, and oil seeds are produce in large volume compared with
other crops, whereas cereals are the major food crops in terms of area cultivated and volume of production
obtained. CSA report indicated that about 81.27% area of land was covered by cereals out of the total land
cultivated by grain crops and it contributes about 87.42 % to annual food crop production in 2016/17 production
year [1]. Its contribution was estimated about 45% for food expenditure, and the remaining production was used
as seed and sale for income [11]. Considerable growth in production of cereals in terms of the area of land
cultivated and yields produced, although the yield potentials were low compared with the average yield of the
world [9]. Cereal crops such as maize, teff, wheat and sorghum are mainly cultivated by most of small holder
farmers’ through subsistence farming in rain fed condition.

Ethiopia is the second largest wheat producer next to South Africa in sub-Saharan Africa [5]. Wheat is an
important staple food crop in the country, especially in urban areas. It is a staple food in the diets of several
population, and providing about 15 percent of the caloric intake for the country’s over 90 million population [4],
placing it second after maize and slightly ahead of teff, sorghum, and enset, which contribute 10-12 percent each
[7]. Wheat is the fourth major cereal crops next to maize, teff and sorghum both in area coverage and volume of
production in the country and it covers approximately 15.17% of the total grain crops production and contributes

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about 17.34% of country’s total cereal production [2]. Even though, the production of wheat is increasing in
terms of area coverage, the average national yield production was about 2.74 t ha -1, which is far below the
average yield of 6.4t ha-1 and 5.78t ha-1 in Africa as well as in the world respectively [10].

The country has an enormous scope and potential for increasing wheat productivity, and it is predominantly
cultivated by small holder farmers at a subsistence level. Wheat production is mainly constrained by wheat rust
disease, high cost of inputs (fertilizer, improved seed and herbicides) and shortage of improved seed in all wheat
growing areas [6]. Further, lack of effective seed production and delivery system, week integration between
researcher and farmers, and less adaptation of varieties to the local environments were contributed to the low
adoption rate of improved wheat varieties by small scale farmers in the country including the study areas [3, 8
and 12].

In the highland area of South Omo Zone, particularly in Semen and Debub Ari districts wheat is most
commonly produced and consumed by subsistence farm householders. Lack of improved varieties of seed, low
level of use of improved production technologies and high infestation of wheat rust diseases associated with
both edaphic and biotic factors mainly attributed to low yields of production in the area. Farmers have no
experience of use of improved varieties of seed and other farm inputs; rather they are experienced in use of local
cultivator in the existing wheat production system in area. Due to the aforesaid facts, Jinka agricultural research
center (JARC) undertaken adaptation trials and participatory varieties selection best performed and high
yielding bread wheat varieties in order to improve wheat productivity in the highland area of target zone, but the
selected and highly performed varieties were not introduced to the farmers yet. Hence, this activity is
undertaken to conduct pre-extension demonstration and popularization of the best performing improved bread
wheat varieties under farmers’ condition and to create awareness on the newly adapted and highly performing
bread wheat varieties in the area.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Description of the Study Area

The demonstration was conducted in South Omo zone of Debub Ari Woreda. Debub Ari woreda is one of the
eight Woredas in the zone with an area of 1,520 km 2 and is located at 50.67’-60.19’ N & 360.30’-360.73’E and
has a human population of 219,708. The traditional agro-ecologies; Dega, woina-dega and kolla are 30, 65 and 5
percent respectively of the total areas. The Woreda has a rain fall pattern of bimodal type /Belg, February –
April and Meher, July – September/. The mean annual rainfall ranges between 601- 1600 mm. The mean annual
temperature ranges between 10-10 0C and greater than 27.5 0C.

The major crops grown in the mid land areas of Debub Ari Woreda are cereals (maize, sorghum, wheat and
teff), pulse and oils (common bean and ground nut) root and tuber (Enset, taro, sweet potato, cassava and yam),
fruits (avocado, banana, mango, and papaya), coffee and spices (coffee, kororima, ginger and turmeric) and
vegetables (cabbages, onion, beet root, garlic, hot pepper, tomato, carrot) in respective order of their total
production and potential. The woreda is dominantly characterized by mixed /crop- livestock/ farming system.

2.2. Site and Farmers Selection

The demonstration was carried out during 2018/2019 cropping seasons in Gadir and Senegal kebeles of Debu-

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-b Ari Woreda on 22 model farmers’ field and 2 farmers training center (FTCs). Farmers were selected
purposively based on availability of suitable farm land, willingness to participate and access to road, and 30% of
female farmers were considered as farmers’ selection criteria while kebeles were selected based on the status of
wheat production potential and criteria and objectives of Agricultural Growth Program-II (AGP-II). One mixed
FREG was established in each kebele.

2.3. Organizing Multi-Disciplinary Team and Group

One technical team consists of five members was organized to conduct demonstration of improved wheat
technology in the area. It was composed of agronomist, breeder, pathologist and PED researchers were
established. The team members had shared duties and responsibilities of; providing training to farmers and key
stakeholders, conducting follow up and monitoring throughout implementation of the activity to final
harvesting. Totally two participatory farmers’ research and extension groups (FREGs) (one at each kebele)
consisting of 40 members (males = 28 and females = 12) were established in the kebeles. FGERs were
composed of participant farmers, model farmers, DAs and administrative bodies of the respective kebeles. Land
preparation, plantation, conducting recommended agronomic managements and yield harvesting activities were
undertaken by host farmers, while FREG members jointly with DAs of the respective kebeles conducted
periodic follow up and support to farmers throughout the practices of land preparation to final harvesting.
Besides, the FREG’ members were responsible for actively participating and conducting demonstration
activities jointly with the team at Farmers’ Training Centers (FTCs) in the targeted kebeles.

2.4. Training

Before starting the demonstration trial, training were given to the 40 participant farmers and members of
FREG and 8 kebele administrators and DAs on improved agronomic and management practices of wheat
technology in collaboration with agronomic researchers and kebele development agents on FTCs demonstration
fields.

2.5. Planting Materials and Agronomic Practices

Two improved varieties of wheat (Wane and Hidase) and one standard check with their associated full
package were used in demonstration trials through active participation of participant farmers, members of
FREGs, Kebele administrators and DAs, and both PED and agronomic researchers. The plot size of 10 m x 20 m
area of land was used for each variety at each demonstration field. The seed rate of 100 kg/ha and the spacing
between two adjust rows of 20 cm was applied. Fertilizer rate of 100 kg/ha NPS and 100 kg/ha Urea was used.

2.6. Methods of Data Collection and Analysis

Farmers were expected to select and prioritize important criteria by providing physical and agronomic
characteristics of wheat technology. Hence, a total of four important selection criteria were selected as variety
selection criteria to collect farmers’ preference data on wheat technology. Beside that farmers’ preference data
were collected on goodness of disease resistance, maturity period, and goodness of spike length and plant height
for each of wheat varieties during field day demonstration. Field day and participatory varieties demonstration,
assessment and evaluation were organized at crops maturity stage at all trial sites (Gedir and Senegal kebeles).
During field day demonstration variety evaluation and assessments, a total of 100 farmers, 8 DA, 2 SMS and 6

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Kebele administrators were participated. Whereas, grain yields data were taken by measuring representative
from each demonstration plot. Simple descriptive statistics were utilized for the data analysis.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Participant Farmers

Out of 100 participants of the field day conducted in Gadir and Senegal kebeles, 50 sample respondent
farmers were selected to assess farmers’ preferences on pre-extension demonstration of different wheat varieties
technology in the area. Out of the total sample respondents, about 74% were male-headed household. Age of the
total sample respondents ranged from 23 to 57 years with a mean of about 34 years. On average, the sample
respondents have been engaged in wheat farming for 6 years and own an average land holding of 0.735ha (Table
1 below).

Table 1. Socio-economic characteristics of participant farmers.

No. Indicators N Mini Max Mean

1 Age 50 23 57 34

2 Farm land size 50 0.125 3.125 0.735

3 Experience 50 1 20 6.62

N = number of respondent farmers.

3.2. Preference Ranking on Field Performances of Wheat Technology

Combinations of physical and agronomic characteristics selected by wheat farmers were considered as
farmers’ selection criteria during interviewing respondents and discussion held on field day in both Gadir and
Senegal Kebeles. These include resistance/tolerance to disease, early maturity/maturity period, spike lengths,
and plant height of wheat varieties. Hence, during the selection process, Wane is selected by farmers as best
with its good disease resistance and early maturity characteristics whereas standard check is selected as first
with its good spike length and height of plants. The highest mean score (4.45) of farmers’ varieties selection
criteria indicates that Wane is ranked fist with its good disease resistance, early maturity, spike length and plant
height and the mean score of 4.06 for standard check indicates that it is ranked as second due to its good disease
resistance, early maturity, spike length and plant height of the variety (Table 2. below). In general Wane is the
first preferred variety whereas standard check is second preferred variety by the sample respondent farmers in
the area.

Table 2. Farmers’ preference towards field performances of bread wheat varieties.

Mean score of farmers’ preferences on characteristics of wheat variety

(N = 50) Total Mean
Wheat Verities Rank
Score
Disease Resistance Early Maturity Spike Length Plant Height

Wane 4.9 4.86 4.06 3.98 4.45 1st

Hidase 1.7 4.04 3.56 3.4 3.195 3rd

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Volume 8, Issue 3, ISSN (Online): 2348 – 3997

Mean score of farmers’ preferences on characteristics of wheat variety

(N = 50) Total Mean
Wheat Verities Rank
Score
Disease Resistance Early Maturity Spike Length Plant Height

Standard check 3.84 3.12 4.84 4.44 4.06 2nd

NB. Likert scale: 1 = Very poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Undecided, 4 = Good, 5 = Very good.

During group discussion held in both Kebeles farmers mentioned that incidence of wheat disease particularly
leaf and stem rust were the major bottle neck problem of wheat production practices. Wheat rust damages the
plants at growth stage as well as at maturity stage which causes total product loss or decrease yield. Tolerance to
disease is an important attribute of the varieties which affects wheat productivity/yield. Accordingly, majority
(64%) of the respondent farmers participated during interview had expressed their willingness to continue Wane
variety in future production season and also willing to recommend the variety to others followed by standard
check (Table 3. below).

Table 3. Farmers’ willingness towards the usage of bread wheat seed varieties in the future.

Farmers willing to continue in Farmers willingness to recommend to

future (N = 50) others (N = 50)
Wheat Variety

Frequency % Frequency %

Wane 32 64 32 64

Hidase 0 0 0 0

Standard check 18 36 18 36

Total 50 100 50 100

3.3. Yield Performance of the Wheat Varieties

In this study, the two preferred varieties, Hidase and Wane were evaluated for their field performance and
Danda’a as standard check on twenty two trial farmers and two FTCs. Accordingly, the field performance result
shows that, wane variety had the highest (4.469 t/ha) average grain yield followed by the average yield (4.251 t
ha-1) from standard check. The lowest average grain yield was obtained for Hidase variety in the area (Table 4
below).

Table 4. Grain yield performances of bread wheat varieties in the area.

Grain Yield in t/ha

Variety Std-deviation
Minimum Maximum Mean

Standard check 3.333 5.266 4.251 5.59

Wane 3.066 5.366 4.469 6.18

Hidase 2.333 3.93 3.217 5.18

3.4. Cost Benefit Analysis

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The farmer wants his wheat crop to be high-yielding which improve net income. Therefore, comparison of net
income gain on-farm trial was set up to evaluate the recommended varieties, as compared with the standard
check. Accordingly, the highest net income (37,144 ETB) gain was recorded for Wane variety followed by
slandered check (35,192 ETB) whereas the lowest net income was recorded for Hidase variety in 2018/19
production year (Table 5 below).

Table 5. Summary of cost-benefit analysis.

Quantity on Each Variety

Unit Price
Item Unit Wane Hidase Standard Check

Quantity Unit cost

Average yield from hectare Quintal 44.69 32.16 42.51

Adjusted yield (-10%) Quintal - 40.22 28.94 38.26

Sales in qt Birr - 1200 48,264 34,728 45,912

Total gain 48,264 34,728 45,912

Total cost for each variety

Item cost Unit Quantity Unit cost
Wane Hidase Standard check

Seed cost Quintal 1 - 2100 2100 1700

NPS Quintal 1 1300 1300 1300

Fertilizer cost
Urea Quintal 1 1260 1260 1260

Land preparation Oxen (pair) 24 100 2400 2400

Sawing Person 16 35 560 560

Labor cost 1st and 2nd weeding Person 40 35 1400 1400

Fertilizer application Person 20 35 700 700

Harvesting and trashing Person 40 35 1400 1400

Total cost - - - 11,120 11,120 10,720

Total Revenue - - - 48,264 34,728 45,912

Net benefit (total gain-total

- - - 37,144 23,608 35,192
cost)

IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In the study areas, wheat production is dominantly experienced with traditional farming and use of local
cultivators by substance smallholder farmers. According to group discussion reports show that there was a
knowledge and information gap on use of quality seed by smallholder farmers in the area. Moreover, the
participant farmers highly emphasized the constraint of weed management technology options, lack of timely
seed supply, and emerging big challenge of steam and leaf rust disease epidemics of wheat in the area.

Farmers used combinations of physical and agronomic attributes as selection criteria to identify their own
preference wheat technology. Hence, resistance to disease; early maturity, spike lengths, and plant height were
highly important farmers’ preference criteria established during group discussion undertaken in the vicinities.

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Finally, Wane variety was selected first followed by standard check for its high resistance to disease, good spike
length, early maturity and good height of the plant. Even though poor traditional weed management practices
was the major influencing factor of wheat production and productivity, the highest grain yield and net income
gained recorded from Wane variety compared to the others and followed by standard check, whereas the lowest
grain yield and net income gained from Hidase variety.

Thus, use of improved wane variety with its associated agronomic practices significantly improves/increases
production and productivity of wheat sectors in the areas. Therefore, Office of Zonal Agriculture and Natural
Resource Management in collaboration with Agricultural Research Centers and other stakeholders should
popularize the selected improved wheat variety with its associated agronomic practices to smallholder farmers’
at large scale in the same agro-ecology.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge Agricultural Growth Program (AGP-II) for funding the research
work. The authors also thank Jinka Agricultural Research Center and all staff members of the Crop Technology
Generation and Adaptation Team for implementation of the technology demonstration, and all the respective
Kebeles’ Development Agents (DAs) for participating in data collection.

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AUTHOR’S PROFILE
First Author
Dilamo Adila, (MSc.), Researcher of Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication, Southern Agricultural
Research Institute, P.O. Box. 06, +251462200498, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Second Author
Kassahun kabata, (BSc.), Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Researcher in Southern Agricultural
Research Institute, Jinka Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box. 96, Jinka, Ethiopia.

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Third Author
Kebede Kassu, (MSc. Candidate) is an Agricultural Technology Transfer and Communication Researcher in Southern
Agricultural Research Institute, Jinka Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box. 96, Jinka, Ethiopia. Currently, I am
attending my MSc. In Rural Development and Agricultural Extension (Agricultural Communication and Innovation for
Development) Stream.

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