Abstract

The experiment was carried out in Gemechis, Chiro and Tulo districts of West Hararghe Zone with the objectives of enhancing production and productivity of faba bean on farmers’ fields and to improve linkage among stakeholders and create awareness on improved faba bean varieties. Three kebeles were selected purposively based on faba bean production potential. Accordingly, Walenso Defo kebele from Gemechis, Arbarakate from Chiro district, and Terkanfata kebele from Tulo district were selected. Seven farmers and one Farmers Training Center were included participated depending on their interest to the technology, managing the experiment, have appropriate land for the experiment and taking the risk of experiment. Two improved varieties namely Hachalu and Tumsa with local variety were shown and evaluated. The experiment was demonstrated on 100 m2 demonstration plots and DAP 100 kg/ha at the time of sowing applied to each demonstration plot with recommended seed rate. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected through observation, group discussion on field day and data recording sheet. Descriptive statistics like mean and tabulation were used to analyse the crop performance concerning yield of the experiment harvested from demonstration plot. Improved varieties along with local variety were also analysed through independent t-statistics. While qualitative data were analysed through simple ranking and summarization. Partial budget analysis was also used to analyse the economic benefit gained from the experiment. The result of the study indicated that Hachalu was ranked first in terms of yield, seed color and disease resistance. As discussed from partial budget analysis, Hachalu variety has more economic advantage than both Tumsa and local variety. Therefore, Hachalu variety was recommended for further popularization and scaling up in study area and similar agro ecology.

Key words: Faba bean, demonstration, varieties, yield advantage.