On-farm Improved Common Bean Variety Demonstration and Evaluation in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: Case of Bora and Adami Tullu Jido Kombolcha Districts

Abstract

Common bean played a vital role in the national economy and used as food and cash sources for the smallholder households. Various common  bean varieties were developed by the national lowland pulse research program. Nevertheless, most of the farmers had little chance to know and  make their own choice from the ranges of available common bean varieties developed. This study was, therefore, proposed to introduce improved  common bean technologies to farmers in major common bean growing areas in the central rift valley of Ethiopia, particularly in Adami Tullu Jido  Kombolcha and Bora districts. The districts were purposively selected based on their common bean production potential and variety releasing and  the registration committee’s recommendation regarding suitable areas for which the demonstrated improved common bean verities can be  adapted. The target demonstration kebeles and sites were further selected purposively depending on their common bean production potential and  accessibility of the site for researchers’ monitoring, evaluation and other non-host farmers’ visit, respectively. The farmers’ selection was based on  landholding and ownership of the farmers, willingness of the farmers to conduct experiments properly under the regular follow-up of the  researchers and their capability to transfer knowledge and create awareness about the varieties among their neighbor and surrounding non-host  farmers. Three improved common bean varieties namely, KATB1, KAT-B9 and Batu (standard check) were demonstrated side by side on an area of  200m2 each. The result shows that KAT-B9 and KAT-B1 give a yield of 1300 and 1250 Kg/ha which is significantly higher than that of the standard  check (940kg/ha). The varieties are preferable over the standard check regarding to yield, early maturity, tolerance to disease and insect infestation,  drought tolerance and food test. Hence, promotion and popularization of the verities in the study areas and areas with the same agroecology  should be given an emphasis.