International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension

IJAEE

Vol. 2(2), pp. 044-047, August, 2016. www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 2167-0432

Research Article

Participatory Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in

Habro and Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe
Zone, Oromia Regional National State, Ethiopia
Fekede Gemechu1* and Gosa Alemu2
1,2

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 19, Mechara, Ethiopia.
Teff (Eragrostis tef) is one of the major crops grown for food and market purpose in Ethiopia.
Thus, this study was conducted during the 2013 cropping season at Habro and Oda Bultum
districts of West Hararghe Zone with objectives of evaluating the performance of Kuncho teff
variety with farmers participation. A total of six farmers; three from each district were used for
demonstration. Single plot with 10mx10m size was used on each farmers field. Yield of each
variety was collected from each farmer and analyzed by using paired sample t-test and
descriptive statistics. Similarly, farmers preferences were collected and analyzed by using
simple rank analysis. The analysis of paired t-test revealed there is significant difference
(p<0.005) in grain yield between the varieties. In addition, improved variety (kuncho) showed
percentage increase by 50% in grain yield over local check under similar management. On the
other hand, the rank analysis indicated that kuncho teff was highly preferred by farmers in
terms of high biomass, resistance to lodging, tolerant to drought and very white seed color than
the local. Therefore, this variety was recommended in west Hararghe zone and similar agro
ecological conditions to improve teff productivity under smallholder farmers.

Key Words: Improved Variety, Kuncho Variety, Local check, Habro and Oda Bultum district

INTRODUCTION
Agriculture in the Ethiopian economy prominently is the
largest contributor to 50% of Gross Domestic Production
(GDP) and employs 80% of the populations. (CSA,
2011). Five major cereals namely Teff, wheat, maize,
sorghum and barley are the core of Ethiopias agriculture
and food economy, accounting for about three-quarters of
total area cultivated (Alemayehu et al., 2011). Cereal
contributes about 85% gross grain production (about 14
million tons), maize constituted 23 %, following by teff
(19%) during the cropping season of 2012/13 Teff is
among the major cereals of Ethiopia, occupying about 2.6
million hectares of land which is more than any other
major cereals such as maize (16%), sorghum (14%) and
wheat (13%) (CSA, 2011).
According to Miller D.(2010) teff is adapted to
environments ranging from drought stress to water
logged soil conditions and diverse soil types. Teff is

classified as a C4 plant which is genetically adapted for

growth in hot dry climates. In addition, Hailu and Peat,
(1996) pointed out that teff is adapted to diverse agroecological regions of Ethiopia and grows well under
stress environments better than other cereals. Because
of this, it is said to be a low-risk" crop for farmers. Seyfu,
(1993) showed that teff grown from sea level up to 2800
m.a.s.l, under various rainfall, temperature and soil
regimes. However, for better performance, it requires an
altitude of 1800-2100 m.a.s.l., annual rain fall of 750-850
0
0
mm, and a temperature range of 10 C- 27 C. It is
predominantly cultivated on sandy loam to black clay
soils.
*Corresponding author: Fekede Gemechu Oromia Agricultural
Research Institute, Mechara Agricultural Research Center,
P.O.Box 19, Mechara, Ethiopia. Email: fekedeg@yahoo.com

Participatory Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in Habro and Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional National State

Gemechu and Alemu

045

Ethiopian farmers grow teff for different purpose, which

mainly attributed to the socio-economic, cultural and
agronomic benefits (Seyfu, 1993). Teff is a highly valued
crop and is primarily grown for its grain that is used for
preparing injera, which is a staple and very popular food
in the national diet of Ethiopians. It can also be used in
many other food products such as kitta, anebaberro,
porridge and alcoholic beverage such as tella and
katikala (Hailu et al., 2003). In addition, its high price in
the market, reduction of post harvest management cost,
fewer disease and pest problems and sustained demand
from consumer, are some of the specific merits that
makes teff important and preferred by farmers (Seyfu,
1993).
Ethiopias crop agriculture in general, and the cereals
sub-sector in particular, face serious challenges. Despite
the aforementioned importance and large coverage area
of teff, its productivity is low due to different factors such
as lack of high yielding cultivars, poor management
practices, weed, water lodging, low moisture and low
fertility conditions. The average national yield of teff is
less than one ton per hectare (CSA, 2011). Teff is among
major cereal crops grown next to sorghum and maize for
food and market purpose in West Hararghe Zone. Even
though some varieties of teff have been released in
Ethiopia, most of them were not demonstrated and
evaluated around drought prone areas. Hence, farmers
of the study areas used their own variety (Local Variety)
which is low yielder and suseptible to different diseases
and weeds. Therefore, this activity was specifically
initiated to demonstrate improved teff variety under
farmers condition through their participation.
.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted during 2013 cropping
seasons at Habro and Oda Bultum districts. Habro district
has an altitude range from 1600-2400 m.a.s.l. and annual
rainfall of 650 mm and 1000 mm while the average
0
temperature of the district is 18 C. The dominant soil type
of the district is Black sandy and loam. Oda Bultum
district located at altitude of 1600-2400 m.a.s.l. and
annual rainfall of 900 mm and 1100 mm while the
0
average temperature of the district is 19.5 C. The
dominant soil type of the district is loam and clay soil
(Aman and Anteneh, 2010).
Site and farmers selection was done in participatory way
with district Agricultural Office and experts working on
cereal production. Accordingly, Kebeles were selected
based on potential production of teff among others.
Similarly, farmers selection were done with collaboration
of agricultural Office experts, Kebele official and
Developmental Agent by considering different selection

criterias like farmers interest to the technology, model

farmers and managing the field as required. Accordingly,
a total of six (6) farmers were selected from both districts
(three farmers from each district).
Kuncho teff variety and local check were evaluated for
their yield performance with full participation of farmers in
the study areas. The trial was laid out on 10mx10m area
2
for each variety with a gross area of 100 m . Planting was
-1
done by broadcasting at seed rate of 25 kg ha . Fertilizer
was applied at the rate of 50/50 kg/ha N and P2O5,
respectively. Weeding and plowing and other
management practices were done as required. Data on
grain yield (kg/ha) on plot basis were collected and
subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 20
software. Paired sample t-test was used to observe the
yield significance between the varieties. Farmers
preference were collected and analyzed by using simple
ranking method in accordance with the given value (De
Boef and Thijssen, 2007). The formula of ranking method
used was specified as:

Rank =
.1

Where N, is value given by group of farmers for each

variety based on the selection criteria and n is number of
selection criteria used by farmers.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Performances of
Condition

Demonstration under Farmers

The mean yield of local check was 13.4 and that of

improved variety was found to be 15.4 with standard
deviation of 1.4 and 1.6, respectively in terms of kg ha-1.
The mean yield of local check was less than that of
kuncho which indicated that using improved variety
enhance the yield harvest of farmers from their land. As
shown in Table 2 the paired t-test value shows that, there
is statistically significant mean difference between the
yield of local check and improved variety (Kuncho) at less
than 1% probability level.
The result of the study revealed that demonstrations of
improved teff variety of kuncho recorded the higher grain
-1
yield (1800 kg ha ) compared to local check (1200 kg ha
1
). The percentage increase in the yield of improved
variety over local check was 50%. This result indicated
that using improved variety of kuncho was more
advantageous for farmers (Table 3).
Farmers Preference on the Varieties
Farmers set out main selection criteria in order to rank
the variety. These criteria include seed color, early
maturity, straw biomass, resistance to lodging and

Participatory Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in Habro and Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional National State

Int. J. Agric. Educ. Ext.

046

Table 1. Summary of selected kebele, farmers and area covered by experiment

Districts Name

Kebele
Wacu-Bedada

No. of trail farmers

1

Habro
Lugo
Burka-Misoma

2
2

Bekenisa

1
6

Area covered
2

100m area of land was used for

each varieties on each farmers
field

Oda-Bultum
Total

Table 2. Paired sample t-test value of the varieties (N=6)

Variety
Local check
Kuncho

Mean
13.4
15.4

St. deviation
1.4
1.6

t-value
4.7***

Sign
0.005

***, indicate significance at less than 1% probability level

Table 3. Summery of yield performance of the varieties

Variables

Yield
-1
(Kg ha )
1200
1800

Local Check
Improved teff(Kuncho)

Yield difference
-1
(Kg ha )
600

Yield increase over local check

(%)
50

Source: Our Computation, (2013)

Table 4. Farmers preference criteria on the varieties

Variety

Selection criteria( score out of 5)

Local check
Kuncho

Seed
color
3
4.5

Straw
biomass
2.5
4

Early
Maturity
3.5
3.5

Resistance
to lodging
2
4.75

Drought
tolerant
3
4

Total
score
14
20.75

Mean

rank

2.8
4.15

2
st
1

nd

Source: Our Computation, (2013).

tolerant to drought. Based on the selection criteria,

farmers indicated that Kuncho teff was preferred by trail
farmers and other neighbour farmers during field day
organized on farmer`s field. The mean scores of farmers
selection criteria ranged from 2 (local variety) to 4.75
(Kuncho variety). The highest score (4.75) recorded for
resistance to lodging for Kuncho and 2 for local variety.
However, the score in terms of early maturity for both
varieties were the same (3.5). In general improved variety
(Kuncho) get higher score in all parameters than local
st
check and selected as 1 by farmers.
Feed shortage is the critical problems in the study area
and farmers consider the biomass of the variety to feed
their animals during feed shortage. Therefore, kuncho
variety had high biomass, resistance to lodging and very
white seed color than the local which fit the interest of
farmers (Table 4). Similar, study conducted by Kebebew
et.al, (2011) indicated that kuncho teff has high biomass,

very white seed color and resistance to lodging than

other teff verities released earlier.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Teff is among major cereal crops grown next to sorghum
and maize for food and market purpose in Ethiopia in
general and west Hararghe zone specifically. Hence, this
study conducted to evaluate yield performance of kuncho
variety under farmers condition. The result of paired ttest revealed that there is yield difference between
improved and local varieties in terms of grain yield and
showed grain yield advantage over the local check by
50% with similar management. On the other hand ranking
analysis also indicated that kuncho variety was preferred
by its seed color, resistance to lodging and tolerant to
drought under farmers condition. Therefore, this variety
was recommended for production at west Hararghe Zone

Participatory Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in Habro and Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional National State

Gemechu and Alemu

047

and similar agro ecological conditions to improve teff

production and productivity.

Seyfu K, (1993). Teff Breeding, Genetic resources,

Agronomy, Utilization and Role in Ethiopian Agriculture.
Accepted 08 July, 2016.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to express our appreciation to Mechara
Agricultural Research Center for its financial support. We
are also indebted for support of researchers and
technical assistance from cereal research team and
farmers providing land for the trail and manage it.

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Citation: Gemechu F, Alemu G (2016). Participatory

Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in Habro and
Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia
Regional National State. International Journal of
Agricultural Education and Extension, 2(2): 044-047.

Copyright: 2016 Gemechu and Alemu. This is an

open-access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and source are
cited.

Participatory Demonstration of Improved Teff Variety in Habro and Oda Bultum Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional National State