Evaluation of Newly Released Rice Varieties (<i>Oryza Sativa L.</i>) Under Smallholder Farmers’ Condition Through On-Farm Demonstration in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Rice is one of the main important food crops in the world. It is the promising and strategic commodity set under Ethiopian food security strategy program. Although consumers’ preference of rice is increasing rapidly, the current production status is unable to meet the existing consumption needs. The evaluation was conducted at Jawe and Pawe districts of Western Ethiopia focusing on the newly released rice varieties under smallholder farmers’ condition. A total of 31 hosted farmers were selected purposively based on their experience and willingness to implement the on-farm demonstration under five rice potential kebeles. Four improved varieties of rice (Pawe-1, Nerica-3, Hidasie and Nerica-12) were the materials used for the demonstration under farmers’ management practices. The evaluation was done on farmers’ field with plot size of 25*25m (625 m²) for each variety. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 51 farmers (20 control group). The collected data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Farmers’ preference ranking also done to choose the best performed variety based on their own selection criteria. The results of the evaluation revealed that all the demonstrated varieties have a significant yield advantage over the control variety and higher than the national average productivity. The highest mean grain yield (3763..08 kg ha^-1) was recorded from Pawe-1 variety with yield advantage of 1027.38 kg and the lowest yield (2735.70 kg ha^-1) recorded from the local control variety. Marketability, grain yield, seed color, seed size, tillering capacity and maturity date were the major preference traits for farmers. Pawe-1 was the best preferred and promising variety based on farmers’ preference criteria followed by Nerica-12 variety. The highest technology gap (1136.85 kg) observed from Nerica-3 variety. Results of the overall evaluation indicated that all the evaluated improved rice varieties performed very well in all testing sites. Therefore, the newly released rice varieties with full recommended packages have to be promoted accordingly for large-scale production to enhance its contribution in the national food security strategy program.