Agrotechnology

Abstract

Participatory on Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Improved Potato Varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Derashe Special and Bonke Districts of SNNPR, Ethiopia

Solomon Yokamo*, Melese Ejamo, Anteneh Bulke and Kanko Chuntale

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important food security crop in Ethiopia and it is regularly consumed by millions of people. Despite its sundry importance, potato production and productivity are affected by a couple of biotic and abiotic factors, particularly in the study areas. Thus, participatory on-farm evaluation and demonstration of improved potato varieties were conducted in Derashe special and Bonke districts in Southern Ethiopia. A single plot design (side to side comparison) was adopted and each variety (Horo and Gudane) was planted on the 10 m × 20 m land area. A capacity building training was delivered to selected farmers, extension agents, and other Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) on potato agronomic practices. A matrix ranking approach was adopted during technology evaluation and varietal preferences by farmers. At plant physiological maturity, a field day was organized and technology was promoted by using different media outlets. The yield performance result revealed that the Horo variety could significantly (p<0.05) perform over the Gudane variety (49.9 ± 6.8 tha^-1 and 33.5 ± 15.2 tha^-1, respectively); that is a 49.23% higher yield advantage over Gudane. The Horo variety had a higher net return (242,026 ETB) than Gudane (107,619 ETB) variety. Moreover, the farmers evaluation and preference result showed that improved potato variety (Horo) was ranked as the first choice over Gudane. Therefore, based on the present findings, the Horo variety was recommended for further scaling out and production in the study areas and other similar agroecology.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important food security crop in Ethiopia and it is regularly consumed by millions of people. Despite its sundry importance, potato production and productivity are affected by a couple of biotic and abiotic factors, particularly in the study areas. Thus, participatory on-farm evaluation and demonstration of improved potato varieties were conducted in Derashe special and Bonke districts in Southern Ethiopia. A single plot design (side to side comparison) was adopted and each variety (Horo and Gudane) was planted on the 10 m × 20 m land area. A capacity building training was delivered to selected farmers, extension agents, and other Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) on potato agronomic practices. A matrix ranking approach was adopted during technology evaluation and varietal preferences by farmers. At plant physiological maturity, a field day was organized and technology was promoted by using different media outlets. The yield performance result revealed that the Horo variety could significantly (p<0.05) perform over the Gudane variety (49.9 ± 6.8 tha^-1 and 33.5 ± 15.2 tha^-1, respectively); that is a 49.23% higher yield advantage over Gudane. The Horo variety had a higher net return (242,026 ETB) than Gudane (107,619 ETB) variety. Moreover, the farmers evaluation and preference result showed that improved potato variety (Horo) was ranked as the first choice over Gudane. Therefore, based on the present findings, the Horo variety was recommended for further scaling out and production in the study areas and other similar agroecology.

Published Date: 2022-09-06; Received Date: 2022-06-30