North Shewa Research Articles

Remote sensing data for managing climate risks: Index-based insurance and growth related applications for smallhold-farmers in Ethiopia

The aim of most index-based insurance programs is to act as a social security mechanism and to provide defense against social and financial exclusion for people whose existing coping strategies are failing. For such schemes, insurance payouts do not depend on the individual losses but on an index which serves as a proxy for the losses. As proposed in this paper, also remote sensing data can be used for index-based insurance which gives additional advantages in comparison to traditional on-ground based indexed instruments. Furthermore, distinguishing between a promotion as well as protection level within such schemes is beneficial from a supply as well as demand side perspective and we suggest an approach how both can be simultaneously introduced within a remote sensing index based insurance framework. The applicability and usefulness of the approach is tested for smallhold farmers in North Shewa, Ethiopia. It is found that the use of remote sensing data is indeed a possible alternative to traditional weather based micro-insurance schemes which offers new ways to tackle current problems of such schemes from a supply side as well as demand side perspective.

A diagnostic appraisal of the sorghum farming system and breeding priorities in Striga infested agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench) is a globally important food security crop, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Sorghum productivity is low in subsistence farming systems due to biotic, abiotic and socio-economic constraints. The objective of this study was to determine farmers’ sorghum production opportunities, threats, indigenous knowledge and perceptions with a focus on breeding priorities Striga infestations and the farmers’ coping mechanisms in different agro-ecologies in Ethiopia. A multistage cluster sampling method was employed to interview 315 households selected from nine districts of three administrative zones within two provinces. Participatory rural appraisal tools including a structured questionnaire, pair-wise ranking, focus group discussion, and observations through a transect walk were used to collect data. The results showed that the majority of the participant farmers, (86%) were involved in sorghum production. In all study areas sorghum landraces were preferred by >85% of respondents rather than improved released varieties. Farmers listed and prioritized several sorghum production constraints based on importance and severity. The constraints varied among the study areas due to the diversity of agro-ecologies and cropping systems. Results from the pair-wise ranking showed that farmers’ have variable preferences for sorghum varieties. At the north Shewa and north Wello zones drought resistance was the most farmers-preferred trait, followed by Striga resistance. In the Metekel zone Striga resistance was the number one farmer-preferred trait, followed by grain quality. The prioritised traits will form the basis for farmer-oriented sorghum breeding.

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium species infections among children and cattle in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

BackgroundGiardia and Cryptosporidium are the most common causes of protozoan diarrhea that lead to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium species infections among children and cattle, and to assess the potential risk of zoonotic transmission.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2009 in Girar Jarso and Dera Districts of North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A total of 768 stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using direct wet mount with saline and formalin ether concentration methods. The modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method was used for the detection of Cryptosporidium species. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 15.ResultsOut of 384 children examined, 53 (13.8%) and 28 (7.3%) were positive for Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections, respectively. Similarly, of the total 384 cattle examined, 9 (2.3%) were positive for Giardia duodenalis and 30 (7.8%) were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. The prevalence of giardiasis was significantly higher among children who had close contact with cattle 33 (18.7%) compared to children who had no contact with cattle 20 (9.6%) (P < 0.05). Higher number of Cryptosporidium infection was also recorded in children who had close contact with cattle 15 (8.5%). Difference in prevalence of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis among children was not statistically significant between males and females. On the other hand, difference in the prevalence of giardiasis among children was statistically significant between age groups.ConclusionsHigher prevalence of Giardia duodenalis infection detected among children was significantly associated with contact with cattle and manure that the children had. Further analysis using molecular techniques is needed to explain the existence of zoonotic transmission in the study area.

Ethnomedicinal study of plants used for human ailments in Ankober District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

BackgroundAnkober District has long been inhabited by people who have a long tradition of using medicinal plants to treat human ailments. Overexploitation of medicinal plants coupled with an ever-increasing population growth, deforestation and agricultural land expansion threatens plants in the area. Hence, this study aimed at documenting and analyzing the plant-based ethnomedicinal knowledge of the people in order to preserve the dwindling indigenous knowledge.MethodsEthnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and walk-in-the-woods. Quantitative approaches were used to determine Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL) values. Statistical tests were used to compare the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants among different informant categories.ResultsA total of 135 medicinal plant species belonging to 128 genera and 71 botanical families were reported to treat human diseases in the District. Families Asteraceae (12 species, 9%) and Fabaceae (10, 7.4%) were found to be best represented in the area. About 44% of preparations were reported to be obtained from roots. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed on the mean number of medicinal plants reported by groups of respondents compared within age, literacy level and experience parameters. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastro-intestinal & parasitic and dermatological disease categories (0.70 each) indicating best agreement among informants knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat aliments in these categories. Highest fidelity level values were recorded for Zehneria scabra (95%) and Hagenia abyssinica (93.75%) showing conformity of knowledge on species of best healing potential. Podocarpus falcatus was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose medicinal plants. The output of preference ranking exercise indicated that Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata was the most preferred species to treat atopic eczema.ConclusionThe study revealed that Ankober District is rich in medicinal plant diversity and associated indigenous knowledge. However, anthropogenic factors coupled with acculturation and very poor conservation efforts threaten medicinal plant survival in the area. Promoting a complementary in situ and ex situ conservation strategy for medicinal plants of the District is highly recommended.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6-59 Months at Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa, Oromia Regional State

Introduction: Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. It is the most important risk factor for the burden of diseases. In Ethiopia, child malnutrition rate is one of the most serious public health problem and the highest in the world. High malnutrition rates in the country pose a significant obstacle to achieving better child health outcomes. Objective: To assess prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months at Hidabu Abote district, North shewa, Oromia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 820 children aged 6-59 months from September 8-23, 2012 at Hidabu Abote district. Multistage sampling method was used to select households. Children were selected from each kebeles by simple random sampling. Anthropometric measurements and structured questioners were used .Data were processed using EPi-info soft ware and exported to SPSS for analysis. Then after, sex, age, height and weight transferred with HHs number to ENA for SMART 2007software to convert nutritional data into Z-scores of the indices; Height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors of malnutrition. Results: The analysis this study revealed that, 47.6%, 30.9% and 16.7% of children were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. The main associated factors of stunting were found to be child age, family monthly income, children were received butter as pre-lacteal feeding and family planning. Underweight was associated with number of children HHs and children were received butter as per-lacteal feeding. Treatment of water in HHs the only variable associated with wasting. Conclusion and recommendation: From the findings of this study, it is concluded that malnutrition is still an important problem among children aged 6-59 months. Therefore, especial attention should be given on intervention of malnutrition.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6-59 Months at Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa, Oromia Regional State

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6-59 Months at Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa, Oromia Regional State

Market Access and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Ethiopia: Evidence from Kewot Woreda of North Shewa

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between market access and livelihood diversification in rural areas of Kewet woreda (district) in North Shewa. The data for the study were gathered through farm household survey. The Logit Regression Model was used to identify the determinants of market access to both rural and town markets. The findings show that households’ access to markets is constrained, inter alia , by location, distance, availability of infrastructure, and cropping pattern. The Logit Regression analysis showed that market access is negatively and significantly affected by distance. Households who reside in remote areas from market centres were found to be the least diversifier of means of livelihood. The findings imply the importance of market centres development for diversification of rural economy.

Analysis of vulnerability and resilience to climate change induced shocks in North Shewa, Ethiopia

This article analyzes the vulnerability and resilience levels of farm households in North Shewa, Ethiopia, using a survey of 452 households. Agro ecological based classification was done to analyze vulnerability to climate change induced shocks. Integrated vulnerability analysis approach was employed to develop indexes for socioeconomic and biophysical indicators. The indicators have been classified into adaptive capacity, exposure and sensitivity to climate change impact. Then Principal Component Analysis was used to compute vulnerability index of each agro ecological zone. The result shows that farmers living in the highland areas were very much vulnerable to natural shocks compared to those living in the lowland area. In order to identify and analyse the determinants of resilience to climate change impacts, ordered probit model was used. Households were classified into three categories based on the time they take to bounce back after natural shocks. The model outputs indicate that farmers with better investment on natural resource management, access to market, better social network, access to credit, preparedness, saving liquid assets, access to irrigation and better level of education exhibited greater level of resilience during and after climate change induced shocks.

Determinants of sheep prices in the highlands of northeastern Ethiopia: implication for sheep value chain development

In order to assess and identify the determinants of sheep price and price variation across time, a time series data were collected from four selected markets in North Shewa, Northeastern Ethiopia on weekly market day basis for a period of 2 years. Data on animal characteristics and purpose of buying were collected on a weekly basis from randomly selected 15-25 animals, and a total of 7,976 transactions were recorded. A general linear model technique was used to identify factors influencing sheep price, and the results showed that sheep price (liveweight sheep price per kilogram taken as a dependent variable) is affected by animal characteristics such as weight, sex, age, condition, season, and color. Most of the markets' purpose for which the animal was purchased did not affect significantly the price per kilogram. This may be due to the similarity of the markets in terms of buyer's purpose. The results suggest that there will be benefit from coordinated fattening, breeding, and marketing programs to take the highest advantage from the preferred animals' characteristics and selected festival markets. Finally, the study recommends for a coordinated action to enhance the benefit generated for all participant actors in the sheep value chain through raising sheep productivity, improving the capacity of sheep producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs to access and use latest knowledge and technologies; and strengthening linkages among actors in the sheep value chain.

Tef (Eragrostis tef ) based cropping systems in the hot to warm moist valleys of North Shewa, Ethiopia

Research on tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in the hot to warm moist valleys of North Shewa of the Amhara regional state has been meager. However, tef is the second most important cereal crop in area coverage in these sub agro-ecologies. Cereal Crops Research Program of Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center launched informal survey in 2006 while the crops were in the field so as to identify the major tef based cropping systems and production practices for prioritizing research needs. The most important cropping system identified was tef based intercropping. A base crop was found intercropped with sesame, safflower, sesame-safflower, sorghum, gomenzer (Brasica carinata), and sunflower (in descending order of importance). The relative area coverage of sole cropped tef varied from about 4 - 36%. The component crops intercropped with tef were found to be largely affected by soil type. Seed rates of sesame and safflower as intercrop with tef are determined by the experience of individual farmer on soil type, depth and fertility levels. Other cultural practices also vary according to soil types, onset and duration of rainfall. This paper also outlines priority research directions of tef and its intercrop components. Key words: Cropping system, hot to warm moist valleys, tef, sesame, safflower.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Crude Extracts of Salix subserrata and Silene macroselen for the treatment of rabies in Ethiopia

A study was conducted between November, 2007 and April, 2008 to evaluate the anti-rabies activity of the leaf of Salix subserrata and root of Silene macroselen which are traditionally used for the treatment of rabies in Bereh-Aleltu Woreda, North Shewa, Central Ethiopia. The study involved oral administration of crude extracts of Salix subserrata and Silene macroselen to Pasteur Virus (PV) strain rabies virus infected mice which were assigned into three treatment and one negative control groups. Chloroform, methanol 80% and aqueous extracts of the study plants were prepared using maceration technique. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance tests coupled to least significant difference to compare result between treatment and positive control groups. Of the 6 crude extracts, chloroform and methanol 80% of Silene macroselen and chloroform and aqueous of Salix subserrata were found to increase the survival time of mice significantly (P< 0.05). Nevertheless, aqueous extract of Silene macroselen and methanol 80% extract of Salix subserrata did not exhibit a significant effect on the survival time. 1 day and 2 days treatment groups of the chloroform extract of S. macroselen indicated significant difference on the survival time from the positive control (P< 0.05). The chloroform and aqueous extracts of S. subserrata and the methanol 80 % extract of S. macroselen in their 1 day and 3 days treatment showed significant difference on survival time from the positive control group (P< 0.05). The results obtained from the present work suggest good correlation between traditional therapeutic uses and the in vivo anti-rabies activity. Further characterization of the active ingredients would reveal useful compounds. Keywords: Anti-rabies, Ethno-pharmaceutical, Mice model, PV strain, Salix subserrata, Silene macroselen

The relations between felsic and mafic volcanic rocks in continental flood basalts of Ethiopia: implication for the thermal weakening of the crust

Abstract Sr and Nd isotopic compositions are presented for a Miocene bimodal basalt–rhyolite suite from north Shewa, central Ethiopian plateau. Whole-rock Rb–Sr isochron of the rhyolites yields an age of 20.7±2.4 Ma, marking the onset of volcanism in central Ethiopia c. 20 Ma, 10 Ma after initial magmatism in the northern Ethiopian plateau. Initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios slightly vary in the basalts as well as in the rhyolites, ranging from 0.70440 to 0.70641 and from 0.70563 to 0.70658, respectively. Initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios show significant variations in the basalts (0.51248–0.51274), but remain nearly constant in the rhyolites (0.51273–0.51278). The Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the basalts are interpreted to reflect their derivation from Afar plume contaminated by crustal materials (up to 15% contamination). The rhyolites evolved dominantly by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived basaltic magmas similar in composition to the exposed flood basalts.

Grass Pea and Neurolathyrism: Farmers’ perception on its consumption and protective measure in North Shewa, Ethiopia

Neurolathyrism in Ethiopia is caused by food dependency on grass pea ( Lathyrus sativus L.). In the study area, a large proportion of the farmers are growing grass pea since it can withstand harsh environments. Socio-economic factors (poverty; lack of money to buy other food legumes) and environmental problems (such as water logging and frost hazards) influence consumption of grass pea. Most of the respondents have the idea that some chemical contained in grass pea causes a health problem. Different processing and preparation methods are used to prepare grass pea into different food forms. The major processing methods include washing and soaking, as the farmers apply these methods mainly because they assume that the chemical that causes lathyrism, scientifically known as β-ODAP (β-N-oxalyl- l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid) is reduced through washing and soaking. The farmers adopt different strategies to avoid the problem of lathyrism such as avoiding consumption of grass pea in the form that they suspect to cause the problem, blending/mixing with other crops, applying different processing/detoxification methods. Since grass pea is consumed with a fear of lathyrism, future research should concentrate either on developing grass pea varieties with safe level of β-ODAP content or improving the traditional/indigenous processing methods.

Head-to-tail transition of the Afar mantle plume: Geochemical evidence from a Miocene bimodal basalt–rhyolite succession in the Ethiopian Large Igneous Province

Miocene rhyolites and basalts from the Ethiopian Large Igneous Province (LIP) crop out in north Shewa on the central Ethiopian plateau. The volcanics were emplaced at the onset of development of the Main Ethiopian Rift and postdate eruption of the Oligocene Ethiopian continental-flood basalt (CFB) province by ~ 15 Ma. Variations in major- and trace-element chemistry indicate that fractionation of the north Shewa parental magmas occurred at ~ 15 km depth; this is consistent with geophysical studies which have predicted the presence of gabbroic intrusions in the mid to upper parts of the underlying ~ 50 km thick crust. High-to-moderate [La/Nb] n (1.1–1.4) and Ce/Pb ratios (17–19.5) for the basalts, together with mantle δ 18O values for the rhyolites, suggest that the north Shewa magmas contain only minimal contributions of crustal melts. The formation of the Ethiopian CFB province has been associated with the sub-lithospheric impact of the Afar mantle plume ‘starting-head’ whereas recent volcanic activity in the Main Ethiopian rift has been linked to lithospheric extension and adiabatic decompression melting in the steady-state ‘tail’ of the plume. Rare-earth element (REE) inversion modelling of Oligocene, Miocene and Recent mafic magmas from the Ethiopian LIP has allowed us to determine changes in the amount of partial melting that accompanied the head-to-tail transition of the Afar plume. The results also provide information on the approximate depth of melting and mantle potential temperature and allow us to assess how these have varied both spatially and temporally. The REE inversion results suggest that, since the Oligocene, the amount of adiabatic decompression melting has decreased two-fold, from 13 to 7%, and the potential temperature of the Afar mantle plume has decreased from ~ 1450 to 1350 °C. The ~ 15 Ma north Shewa basalts formed by slightly lower degrees of partial melting (5%) than those in the present-day rift, presumably due to the presence of thicker lithosphere (60 km) prior to the main phase of rifting during which the lithosphere thinned to ~ 50 km at the rift axis.

Virulence analysis of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici populations in Ethiopia with special consideration of Ug99

Wheat stem rust samples were collected in 2006 and 2007 in the Arsi, Bale, Shewa and northwest regions of Ethiopia to determine virulence diversity and race distribution in Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici populations. Stem rust incidence was high in Arsi, Bale and east Shewa. In northwest Ethiopia, and north and west Shewa, stem rust was prevalent at low levels. A total of 152 isolates was analysed and 22 races were identified. Races TTKSR (Ug99), TTHSR and RRTTR were predominant, with frequencies of 26·6, 17·7 and 11·1%, respectively. These races were also detected in all regions. The highly virulent race designated Ug99 was present throughout the country and dominated in all regions except northwest Ethiopia. A variant of Ug99 virulent against the stem rust resistance gene Sr24 was not detected in this study. Four stem rust resistance genes (Sr13, Sr30, Sr36 and SrTmp) were found to confer resistance to most of the races prevalent in Ethiopia. With the exception of Sr30, which is not effective against Ug99, these genes could be used in breeding for resistance to stem rust in Ethiopia.

Prevalence of sub clinical mastitis in small holder dairy farms in Selale, North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia

A cross section study was carried out on a total of 153 lactating cows for sub clinical mastitis by using California Mstitis Test (CMT). Of all animal tested 137 (89.54 %) were found positive for mastitis. From 137 CMT positive animals, 122 were bacteriologically positive. The prevalence of sub clinical mastitis 89.54 % in cow and 63.1 % quarters were recorded and the resulting quarter infection rate was 56.70 %. Bacteria belonging to Staphylococcus genera were isolated with Staphylococcus epidermedius (38.41 %), Staphylococcus intermedius (23.19 %) and Staphylococcus aureus (13 %) dominating the milk flora. The high prevalence of sub clinical mastitis found in cow in the study was required further studies to identify risk factors and antibiotic sensitivity tests for the isolates as this would help to devise treatment and control of sub clinical mastitis in dairy cows in the area.

Association of white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum) of garlic with environmental factors and cultural practices in the North Shewa highlands of Ethiopia

Field surveys were conducted in North Shewa highlands, Amhara state, Ethiopia during 2003 and 2004 main cropping seasons to determine the distribution, prevalence and the association of garlic white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum) incidence with environmental factors and cultural practices. In both years a total of 385 garlic fields were surveyed in four districts, and 96.6% of the fields were infested with white rot. Disease incidence varied among districts and between years, altitude range, soil type and field management practices. The mean disease incidence in 2 years ranged from 21% in Lalo Mama Mider to 42% in Basona and Werena district, where it was significantly higher. The incidence in 2004 cropping season was higher by 37.28% than in 2003. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association of white rot incidence with environmental factors and cultural practices as independent variables. District, cropping year, soil type and weed management practices were significantly associated with white rot incidence in a multiple variable model. Higher incidence of white rot was significantly associated with Basona and Werena district. Lower incidences had a high probability of association with Angolela and Asagirt and Lalo Mama Mider (2003) cropping year and good weed management practices. In a reduced multiple variable model, year and weed management practice were significantly associated with lower white rot incidence. In garlic intercropped with Brassica there was very low disease incidence. The survey revealed high occurrence and distribution of white rot in the study area and effective and feasible management options need to be developed.

Changes of Sorghum bicolor landrace diversity and farmers’ selection criteria over space and time, Ethiopia

Temporal and spatial changes of sorghum landrace diversity and related factors in five farming communities in north Shewa and south Welo, between 1992/1993 and 2000/2001, were studied in order to ascertain the stability of a range of factors that support the maintenance of the crop genetic diversity. The same farmers were interviewed and the same sorghum fields were surveyed both times. Over the 8-year period: the total area planted to sorghum decreased drastically in all five farming communities and a large percentage of the farmers in the communities (Hayk, 69%; Borkena, 68%; Epheson, 51%; Merewa Adere, 72%; and Bati, 54%) decreased the field size planted to sorghum, because of population growth, land redistribution policy, seasonal changes, and stagger cropping followed by interspecies crop displacement; landrace richness increased significantly in Merewa and Borkena, but decreased significantly in Bati, Epheson and Hayk; and farmers’ selection criteria, the reasons for growing specific landraces, increased significantly (10 in 1992/1993 vs. 22 in 2000/2001). Significant differences in field size distribution occur among the five farming communities. In 2000/2001, 22 “generalist” landraces (grown widely across three or more communities), and 46 “specialist” landraces (niche specific, restricted to certain microhabitats in one or two communities) were found. Landrace gains and losses from the farms surveyed in individual communities over the period are demonstrated.

Management of white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum) of garlic using fungicides in Ethiopia

Four field experiments were conducted at the Debre Zeit and Bakelo areas of North Shewa, Ethiopia in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 to determine the effects of five fungicides on epidemics of white rot ( Sclerotium cepivorum), and to identify effective fungicides for its management. Five fungicides: tebuconazole as a clove treatment and supplemented basal spray, benomyl, mancozeb, captan and thiram as a clove treatment were applied to Tseday (G-493) and local garlic cultivars. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There was an untreated control for each cultivar. The trials were conducted in fields naturally infested with S. cepivorum. Treatment of garlic cloves with tebuconazole at the rate of 2.1 ml kg −1and spray at 0.25 l ha −1 at stem bases resulted in a significant reduction in initial and final white rot incidence, progress rate, and severity on bulbs. Captan at the rate of 4.17 g kg −1and benomyl at 5.2 g kg −1gave a significant reduction in final disease incidence and the disease was reduced by 16% and 24%, respectively, over the control at Bakelo. At Debre Zeit these fungicides decreased final disease incidence by 40–44%. The highest increase in marketable yield was obtained from garlic treated with tebuconazole (43–73%), captan (48–77%) and benomyl (42–64%) more than the control. Thiram reduced the disease initially, but subsequently did not prove effective. Garlic yield of both cultivars were improved by fungicide application. On average marketable yield increased 27–44.1% at Debre Zeit and 33–70% at Bakelo over the untreated control plots. Differences existed between seasons and locations and these could be due to differences in environment and inoculum levels.

AFLP analysis of genetic relationships between barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces from north Shewa in Ethiopia

Local cultivars adapted to specific environmental conditions are the chief source of seed for farmers in Ethiopia and deserve research priority. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine the genetic relationships between different barley landraces, from north Shewa in Ethiopia so as to differentiate genotypes known by different local names and facilitate their conservation and use in breeding new varieties. Five AFLP primer combinations were analyzed for 19 barley landraces and five malting varieties. The number of scoreable fragments amplified by each AFLP primer combination varied from 49 to 118 with an average of 84.5 and polymorphic fragments for each primer combination varied from 27 to 77 with an average of 58.5. The average percent polymorphism was 69.9% with values ranging from 55.1% to 75.8%. Cluster analysis placed the accessions and malting varieties into one main group while all the farmers’ cultivars, with the exception of two, were in the other main group. It was shown that sampling of germplasm at a given locality might not represent the whole array of genetic variability of locally grown famers’ cultivars. A comprehensive study of all the farmers’ barley cultivars, grown in different parts of Ethiopia, is required to maximize the efforts of germplasm conservation and utilization in national and regional breeding programs.