Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) is a crucial pulse crop extensively cultivated in the country for its contributions of proteins, carbohydrates, and economic benefits. However, its production has decreased due to fungal diseases, specifically chocolate spot ( Botrytis fabae ) and rust ( Uromyces viciae-fabae ). The experiment was conducted at Arbarakate and Ija Fara farmers training center (FTC) research sub sites during the main crop season of 2022 to evaluate management strategies for chocolate spot and rust diseases through the integration of host resistance with fungicides. The study utilized a factorial combination of four varieties of faba bean (Aloshe, Dide’a, Gabelcho, and Local) along with two fungicides (Kanzole 25% and Mancozeb 80WP), including a control, within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Diseases and crop‐related parameters were analyzed using SAS software, while SPSS version 20 was used for correlation analyses of yield and yield‐related parameters of faba beans in relation to disease intensity. Findings revealed that faba bean varieties and fungicides had significant ( p < 0.05) effects on disease incidence (DI) and the number of pods per plant (NPPP) at both locations, while percent severity index (PSI), number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, and above‐ground biomass (AGB) were significantly affected by both factors at Ija Fara. Phenological parameters were significantly affected by varieties only at both sites. The interaction of variety and fungicides had a significant influence on the number of fertile tillers and yield at both sites. Moreover, grain yield showed highly significant negative correlations with disease parameters, suggesting their impact on yield reduction. The highest yield of 4726 kg/ha was obtained from the Aloshe variety treated with Kanzole 25% EC, followed by 4678 kg/ha from the same variety with Mancozeb 80WP at Arbarakate, whereas the lowest yield of 2168 kg/ha was obtained from the local control at Ija Fara. The integration of bean varieties such as Aloshe and Dide’a, along with Kanzole 25% EC and Mancozeb 80WP fungicides, significantly reduced disease severity and increased yield. Moreover, applying Kanzole EC 25% with the Aloshe variety led to high net benefits (NBs) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR). The study concluded that the use of Kanzole EC 25% with the Aloshe variety is recommended for optimal production in the study area and other similar agroecologies to confirm the present results.

Based on its valuable protein and oil content, soybean is one of the most crucial legume crop with a key role to play in achieving sustainable agriculture and improving the food security of Ethiopia. Thus, identifying traits with important influence on yield and quality, ensuring efficient selection in breeding programmes to improve productivity and adaptability are some of major factors of soybean that can be well addressed by studying variability, heritability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis. Therefore, an investigation was conducted in Jimma district where 64 soybean genotypes including two checks were grown in an 8 × 8 simple lattice design with two replications to provide valuable insights about the genetic variability, heritability, correlation, and path coefficient analysis for ~12 quantitative traits. The analysis of variance exhibited significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits studied indicating considerable variability among the tested genotypes. Highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values were observed for traits, namely, number of seeds pod−1, pod length, number of branches plant−1, 100 seed weight, and grain yield whereas moderate genotypic and PCV values were recorded by harvest index and number of pods plant−1. Essentially, these high values of genotypic and PCV suggest that the observed differences in those traits are more pronounced, making them potentially important for selection and improvement of soybean crop. Traits like the number of branches plant−1, pod length, number of seeds pod−1, and 100 seed weight showed high heritability accomplished with high genetic advance as percent of mean, suggesting that such traits are likely to respond well to breeding efforts aimed at enhancing their expression in future generations. Additionally, it was perceived from the results that number of seeds plant−1, 100 seed weight, harvest index, plant height, number of pods plant−1, and number of branches plant−1 displayed positive and significant genotypic as well as phenotypic correlation with grain yield, whereas, on the other hand, path coefficient analysis revealed that the number of seeds plant−1, plant height 100 seed weight, and harvest index showed the highest positive direct effect with grain yield. The traits identified through correlation and path coefficient analysis are crucial for targeted breeding efforts because they imply that improving certain traits could lead to enhanced grain yield in soybean.

Poultry farming has gained recognition as a critical tool for addressing issues such as malnutrition, food insecurity, low incomes, and poverty. This sector holds considerable potential for improving livelihoods and alleviating poverty, especially in developing nations like Ethiopia. Increasing poultry production and productivity is essential to meet the rising demand for poultry products. This research was conducted to examine the challenges and opportunities in poultry farming within the rural areas of Hurumu and Bilo Nopa Woredas, located in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling approach was used, with districts and kebeles selected intentionally, and households chosen through random sampling for interviews. Data collection included surveys from 222 households, five focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs) with local leaders, experts, and officials, along with direct observations in five kebeles across the two districts. The study revealed various socioeconomic characteristics and issues affecting poultry farming, including predation, diseases, insufficient feed, inadequate housing, and management challenges. Nonetheless, several opportunities for improvement were identified, including enhanced market access, feed availability, extension services, NGO support, and access to credit. In both regions, poultry farming was primarily aimed at income generation. To address these challenges, improved management practices, healthcare, and extension support are needed. Additionally, exploring the nutritional value of locally available, nonconventional feed resources could contribute to creating more balanced diets. Better housing solutions could be implemented using local materials with expert guidance. Managing disease risks could be improved by training community vaccinators, a novel approach for this area. Furthermore, helping farmers understand market demand and seasonal fluctuations would aid in effective resource allocation and boost profitability.

The production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Ethiopia is hindered by various weeds, diseases and insect pests. Unchecked weed populations can drastically decrease faba bean yield by 80%–90% if not eradicated during the critical competition period. This research aimed to assess the influence of plant spacing and herbicide use on weed invasion, yield and yield factors of faba bean during the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons. Three inter‐ and intrarow plant spacings (35 cm × 15 cm, 40 cm × 10 cm and 45 cm × 5 cm) and four weeding methods (two instances of hand weeding, usage of Gallant Super and Fusilade herbicides and a nonweeding treatment as a control) were employed using a randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement. The combined effects of plant spacing and weed management practices had a significant impact on the number of tillers per plant (NTPP). On the average of the two cropping seasons, the maximum NTPP (3.53) was observed on 35 cm × 15 cm plots treated with twice hand weeding management. On the average of the cropping seasons and plant spacing, the highest number of pods per plant (NPPP) (37. 69), number of seeds per pod (NSPP) (3.73) and weight of 100 seeds 62.77 g) were recorded in twice hand weeded plots. On the average of the cropping seasons, the highest grain yield (GYL) (6401.8 kg ha−1) was achieved in twice hand weeded plots with 45 cm × 5 cm plant spacing. The findings suggest that using 45 cm × 5 cm spacing in conjunction with twice hand weeding is the most effective practice for faba bean production.

The experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effects of fertilizer level and row spacing on soybean morphological characteristics, forage yield, and nutritive value in the highlands of Ethiopia. A factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD) using two factors (row spacing and four fertilizer levels) containing three row spacings of 50, 60, and 70 cm were combined with four 0, 100, 120, and 140 kg ha−1 NPS fertilizer rates. Growth parameters and forage yield data were gathered at the 50% flowering stage, weighed, dried, and ground. Subsamples were then taken for analysis of the following parameters: ash, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD), fiber contents (neutral detergent fiber [NDF], acid detergent fiber [ADF], and acid detergent lignin [ADL]), and metabolizable energy (ME). The collected data were subjected to a general linear model (GLM) for statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.0. There was significant interaction (p < 0.05) effect in the fertilizer level and spacing only in the number of nodules among growth parameters, but for nutritional value of forage soybean DM, crude protein (CP), CP yield (CPY), and ME. Both spacing and fertilizer application showed significant effects (p < 0.001) on the majority of growth characteristics like plant height (PH), number of branches (NBs), number of leaf per plant (NLPP), number of nodule (N), DM yield (DMY), and leaf‐to‐stem ratio (LSR). The growth parameters and nutritional quality had better performance in 140 kg ha−1 NPS application and 70 cm row spacing than in lower fertilizer levels. Moreover, significantly (p < 0.001), maximum DMY (12.2 t ha−1) was recorded from 50 cm row spacing. Regarding fertilizer levels, maximum DMY was recorded from high‐level NPS fertilizer application (10.9 t ha−1). The row spacing of 70 cm had the highest CP content (16%). The best marginal rate of return (MRR; 859.85%) and largest net profit (40212 birr) were obtained from 140 and 100 kg NPS fertilizer treatments with 50 cm row spacing, respectively. In the current result, forage soybean with a rate of 100 kg ha−1 NPS fertilizer and 50 cm row spacing was chosen among the treatments in the current study and is advised for wider exploitation through irrigation application.

This study evaluates the growth performance of Dorper × indigenous crossbred sheep under semi‐intensive management system and assesses farmers’ perceptions toward these crossbred lambs in southern Ethiopia. Performance data, namely, birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), and average daily weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG0‐3), were collected from Mente Dubo breed evaluation and distribution (BED) site. To gather comprehensive information on sheep production systems and farmers’ perceptions, on‐farm surveys were conducted in the Damot Pulasa, Damot Gae, and Damot Sore districts of Wolaita Zone using semistructured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using different procedures in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Analysis of growth performance revealed that, under the semi‐intensive management system, the least squares means (LSM) for BWT, WWT, and ADG0‐3 were 2.84 ± 0.06 kg, 15.40 ± 0.90 kg, and 137.78 ± 99 g/day, respectively, with a preweaning survivability rate of 77.7%. Farmers primarily raised sheep for income generation (index = 0.28) and as a form of savings (index = 0.25). Farmers expressed a preference for Dorper crossbred lambs due to their faster growth rates (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, p < 0.05) and docile behavior (OR = 2.12, p ≤ 0.01). However, challenges such as increased susceptibility to disease and color‐related drawbacks were also identified. In conclusion, there is a possibility of continuing cross‐lamb production and disseminating it to selected pocket areas within the study areas. The breed could be promoted as an optional genetic material. To ensure better survival of crossbred lambs, it is important to integrate improved management systems, such as enhanced feed, housing, and healthcare.

Food insecurity and chronic poverty are persistent problems in the less developed world. Food insecurity may result from rapid population growth, inappropriate use of limited resources, climate change, unsuitable technologies, and a lack of appreciation for local knowledge and resources. Thus, developing appropriate plans to sustainably intensify subsistence agriculture is essential. Accordingly, a proper balance should be maintained between ecosystem health and increased agricultural production and productivity. This work presents a narrative review and personal insights on the sustainable intensification of subsistence agriculture to ensure food security in an eco‐friendly way. Depending on the local context, various sustainable intensification methods could be adopted. Intensification requires the integrated and efficient use of limited resources and good practices. It also necessitates socioeconomic transformation and the creation of an enabling environment. Therefore, in addition to the sustainable intensification of crop production, livestock production, and natural resource management, policy interventions should focus on family planning, maintaining social equity and peace, and changing consumption and work habits. Interventions related to crop production include soil fertility management, the adoption of backyard orchards, association cropping and polyculture, the widespread use of resilient root and tuber crops, agrobiologicals, manual cultivators, and the reduction of post‐harvest losses. Livestock producers can adopt wet salting of dry roughages, establish resilient fodder like cacti in drylands, develop feed banks and nutrient‐dense feeds, destock and restock livestock, rear resilient livestock species and breeds, expand the use of transhumance, ratify ethnoveterinary practices, and prevent circulating diseases. Interventions such as area enclosures, vegetative propagation, watershed management, and the use of renewable energy sources are recommended for natural resource management. It is also essential to properly utilize indigenous knowledge, revise training and teaching curricula, diversify livelihood forms, and create platforms for knowledge dissemination. Intensification must consider the local context and the need to maintain ecosystem health.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) stands as a major technique in genetic engineering, offering innumerable applications for enhancing agricultural and horticultural crops. It contributes significantly to improving quality traits, managing biotic and abiotic stresses, and extending shelf life. Several genes, such as Cry genes or protease inhibitors and trypsin inhibitors, have been utilized to confer resistance against insect pests and diseases. This technique finds extensive application in medicine, agricultural, and horticultural crops. CRISPR/Cas9 has been successfully implemented in tomato, petunia, grapes, apple, and citrus, yielding promising results. For instance, in tomato, CRISPR/Cas9 has been employed with the Agrobacterium gene transfer method to provide resistance against powdery mildew disease. This review presents a comprehensive overview of CRISPR/Cas9 applications and achievements in agricultural and horticultural crops. Overall, this review highlights the potential applications of CRISPR technology in plant improvement, with limitations and challenges including off‐target mutations, size of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, delivery, and bio‐safety regulations to improve a variety of crop traits, including yield, quality, stress tolerance, disease, and herbicide resistance. It can also be used to speed up crop improvement compared to conventional breeding.

There is an increasing global demand for fruit/nut tree foods. Traditionally, these trees are propagated via grafting onto rootstocks grown from seeds or using the double‐grafting technique, but this is laborious, expensive, and slow to provide seedlings to the industry. Although clonal tissue culturing can improve the supply and quality of seedling rootstock year‐round, little is known if this propagation technique is economically viable at the commercial scale. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the economic benefits to avocado growers of clonal tissue‐cultured seedling adoption over traditional propagation methods. Queensland is the largest producer of Australian avocados; therefore, we used a bioeconomic model of an indicative Queensland avocado farm under different adoption scenarios. Bio‐physical and economic data were collected from local Queensland farms, nurseries and advisors. Findings revealed that the scenario of supplying fruit trees a year earlier with clonal tissue culture rootstock had greatest financial benefits to growers. For an indicative 25‐ha avocado farm, this included reduced investment costs of A$250k during the earlier years of production, a payback period shortened by 1.78 years, average earnings increased by A$3373/ha/year, and the grower’s wealth increased by more than $840k after 20 years. This increased wealth is from earlier seeding supply, which equates to a similar benefit from increasing crop yields by 10% over the 20‐year time horizon. This research contributes towards science technology adoption, product commercialisation, industry adoption theories, and provides further insights into the sustainable economic benefits of clonal tissue culture to avocado farmers’ resilience through increased gross margins, reduced initial capital investment, shorter payback periods, and thereby reducing the risk typically associated with establishing perennial tree‐crop enterprises. Globally, other fruit/nut tree industries may benefit from clonal tissue culture, not only through possible yield increases, but more importantly through shorter breeding cycles for cultivars to increase the supply of seedlings when required.

The Tef crop is significant in Ethiopia for domestic use and as a revenue source. However, the productivity of Tef is hampered by poor soil fertility and a lack of fertilizer recommendations tailored to different Tef varieties. In 2023, a field experiment was conducted in Tembaro District, Central Ethiopia, to address these issues. The main objective of this study was to determine the optimal blended NPSB fertilizer rates for different Tef varieties. Four NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg/ha) and four Tef varieties [Local Check, Quncho, Tsedey (Cr‐37), and Bosset] with a seed rate of 7.5 kg/ha were used. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth, yield, and other data were collected and analyzed using SAS 9.4. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) interaction effects between variety and fertilizer rate for most measured traits, like days to 50% emergence, days to 50% flowering, and panicle length. Compared to the other variety‐fertilizer combinations analyzed, the study showed that the Quncho, when applied 135 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron (NPSB) fertilizer, had the highest grain yield (2.33 t/ha), straw yield (3.20283 t/ha), total biomass output (5.5328 t/ha), and harvest index (HI) (42%). The Quncho variety yielded a net benefit of 134,014 Ethiopian Birr and had the highest marginal rate of return (MRR%) at 1060%. These findings indicated that farmers in the area can increase the yield of Tef by applied with 135 kg/ha of NPSB fertilizer together with the Quncho variety. Additional multiseason research is required to confirm the present findings and offer detailed suggestions.