Pre-extension Demonstration of Improved Bread Wheat Variety (Kingbird) under Farmer Conditions in Atote Ule District, Halaba Zone, Ethiopia
Mekonen Debara
*
Hawassa Agricultural Research Center, Sidama Agricultural Research Institute, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Wheat is one of the major staple crops in Ethiopia; however, productivity remains low, mainly because of limited access to improved varieties and low adoption of production technologies. To address this gap, a demonstration study was conducted in Atote Ule District to evaluate and promote the improved bread wheat variety Kingbird under farmer conditions. The objectives were to popularise Kingbird and evaluate farmers’ perceptions in comparison with the local standard check, Ogolicho. Training was provided to farmers, development agents, agricultural experts and other stakeholders. Inputs were collected and delivered through the research centre. A total of 10 farmers were purposively selected based on their interest in adopting new technologies, willingness to share experiences and readiness to provide feedback. The improved variety and local check were planted side by side on 0.25 ha plots in each farmer’s field. Results indicated that Kingbird produced a higher grain yield (3.61 t/ha) than Ogolicho (3.12 t/ha). Farmer preference ranking also showed that Kingbird was favoured because of its high yield potential, attractive seed colour, tolerance to major diseases (Septoria, spot blotch, yellow rust and stem rust), lodging resistance, suitability for fodder, desirable plant height and better marketability. Therefore, Kingbird is recommended for wider scaling-up under similar agro-ecological conditions to enhance wheat productivity and farmers’ income.
Keywords: Bread wheat, demonstration, farmer preference, grain yield, Kingbird, Ogolicho, pre-extension, scaling-up, technology adoption, Atote Ule.