Demonstration and participatory evaluation of Improved Finger Millet Technology in selected Districts of East Wallaga and Buno Badalle Zones

Abstract

The study was conducted in selected districts of western Oromia, during the 2020  cropping season with the objective to demonstrate a recently released finger millet  variety to the farmers in the study areas. A new variety (Kumsa) was planted  along with a standard check (Bako-09) on 100 m2 adjacent plots, adhering to all  agronomic recommendations. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected  and analyzed for this study. At maturity, participatory variety evaluation was done  using qualitative and quantitative traits/criteria set by the farmers to select the best  variety for future use. Disease resistance/ tolerance, grain yield performance, tillering  capacity, number of fingers per head and seed colour were the first five most important  criteria considered by the farmers in their order of importance. The new variety was  ranked first on the basis these criteria and was selected as the first option for future  use by the farmers. An independent sample t-test was used to analyze quantitative  data, while qualitative data were qualitatively analyzed and described. The mean  grain yield performance of the varieties (qt ha-1) was 27.45±1.10 for Kumsa and  22.82±1.3 for Bako-09, respectively which is statistically significant (p<0.01). The  new variety, accordingly exhibited a yield advantage of 20.29% over the standard  check. The technology gap and technology index, respectively for Kumsa (4.55 qt, 14.22%) compared to that of Bako-09(6.98 qt, 23.42%) reveal more stability and  feasibility of the new variety to the farmers. The financial analysis reveals also that  the net gain (36612.8 ETB ha-1) was higher for Kumsa than for Bako-09(28.122.5  ETB ha-1) witnessing more profitability of the new variety. The new variety, has  consequently, met the farmers demand both in terms of qualitative and quantitative  traits including financial benefits than the standard check. This calls for wider  dissemination of the variety with its full package to the farmers in the study area and  with similar agro-ecological