Cluster-based improved Malt barley technology demonstration in selected districts of Arsi and West Arsi zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Large Scale Demonstration (LSD) of Malt barley were conducted in Oromia regional state of two Malt barley producing Zones of Arsi. From the two zones (Arsi and west Arsi ) 4 districts and three of them namely Lemu-bilbilo, Arsi-Robe and Hetosa from Arsi zone, and one district namely Kofale from West Arsi zone included in the program. A total of 5 malt barley clusters which contains 104 hectares of land were formed in collaboration with the districts level experts and “kebeles” level Development Agents (DAs). The Zones were selected due to their potential for Malt barley production.One popular variety called IBON 174/03 was demonstrated along with its full-recommended packages in the study areas.Training were given for a total of 164 participants (135 farmers, 12 DA and 17 experts ) at different stage on production practice of Malt barley techinologies. To raise farmer’s awareness on the performance of the Malt barley techinologies, a total of 5 fi eld days were organized, by these fi eld days, a total of 308 participants were attended the fi eld events (261 farmeres, 15 development agents and 23 Experts 9 Higher Offi cials and Others were attened the events). The variety (IBON 174/03) demonstrated at study districts was acceptable during fi eld visit and fi eld day by farmers due to its disease tolerant, well adaptation and its productivity after harvesting (at all study areas the variety has showed a yield advantage over the Ethiopial national average yield of barley (21 quintals per hectare CSA;2020. Received: 20 July, 2021 Accepted: 30 August, 2021 Published: 31 August, 2021 *Corresponding author: Sintayehu Abebe, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa .P.O.BOX; 2003 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, E-mail: