Availing Technological Options for Small holder Farmers: The case of Improved Finger millet Variety Demonstration in selected Districts of East Wallaga and Buno Badalle Zones

Abstract

The study was conducted in selected districts of western Oromia, during the 2020 main cropping season. The objective of the study was 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. 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. 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 also revealed 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