Abstract

Pre extension demonstration of improved durum wheat varieties was carried out at Dodola and Adaba districts of West Arsi zone and Agarfa district of Bale zone using one recently released (Bulala) improved variety against standard check (Dire).The main objective of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate improved durum wheat varieties in order to enhance farmers to select best fit variety/ies for their localities. The demonstration was under taken on single plot design of 20m x 20m area for each variety with the spacing of 20cm between rows and recommended seed rate of 150kg/ha and fertilizer rates of 100/110kg/ha NPS/UREA. Mini-field day was organized at each respective site on which different stakeholders were participated and experiences were shared. Yield data per plot was recorded and analysed using descriptive statistics, while farmers’ preference to the demonstrated varieties was identified using focused group discussion and summarized using pair wise and simple ranking methods. Participant farmers were enhanced to set their own selection criteria and their criteria were almost similar in all locations. Accordingly, Bulala variety was selected due to its high yielder, seed/spike (64-80), tiller (7-8), better and stem strength, good seed colour, more adaptable to environment, more tolerant to disease, good plant height, bigger seed size and big spike. Since, all participant farmers selected Bulala, it is important to proceed to the task of scaling up/out of Bulala in all demonstration sites and similar agro-ecologies

Keywords

Demonstration, Farmers’ preference, durum wheat, Bulala, Selection criteria