Large-Scale On-Farm Production Performance of Common Bean Varieties in Central Rift Valley of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Common bean is an essential crop in Ethiopia and the Central Rift Valley of Oromia regional state. The majority of smallholder farmers in these areas cultivate common beans using old varieties or local ones with their production practices. Because of this, the actual smallholder farmers’ yield is very low (1779 kg/ha) as that of -research center yield data of 3,500 kg/ha using improved varieties and improved management techniques Even though there are many contributors to these yield gaps, it is mainly attributed to lack of utilization of improved varieties and recommended production practices that are accessible to smallholder farmers. This study, therefore, was conducted to assess the performance of the newly released common bean varieties through large-scale demonstrations in farmers’ fields. The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2019-2020) by using three varieties (SER-125, SER-119, and Awash-2) with recommended agronomic practices. The study was conducted in 69hectare (ha) by participating 85 farmers. The results of the study showed that if farmers cultivate the improved varieties (SER-125, SER-119, and Awash-2) in large-scale clustered farms, the common bean yield will be improved by up to 46% compared with the local yield potential. The yield advantage of Awash-2, SER-119, and SER-125 varieties was 12.3%, 45.6%, and 43.5 over the local Adama and Shalla districts respectively. The study also found the newly released varieties are preferred by farmers based on the pairwise ranking because of their high-yielding, early maturity, and drought-tolerant traits, respectively. However, farmers reported they were challenged to access the common bean seeds. For sustainable production of improved common bean technologies, the seed system should be taken into consideration to deliver the seed supply to the entire common bean producers. So any seed multiplier organizations like unions and cooperatives should give due emphasis to improved common bean seed. In addition, research institutions need to focus on solving insect (Bean stem maggot) and diseases (Rust and Halo blight) problems faced by common bean producers to improve the production of common beans in the study area and similar Agroecology.