On-farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Improved Banana (Musa spp) Technologies under Small-scale Irrigation Schemes of Selected Lowland Districts of Bale Zone, South-eastern Ethiopia

On-farm evaluation and demonstration of improved banana technology were carried out under small-scale irrigation scheme in selected lowland districts of Bale Zone. FRG approach was employed and two FRGs in every selected scheme were established with 20 members each. The evaluation and demonstration was implemented on four farmers in each scheme and a total of sixteen (16) farmers were used. Each farmer’s field was considered as replication of the trial. Hence; a total of four improved banana varieties namely Giant Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, Poyo and Grand Nain were evaluated. From the study result; there were significant differences between mean yield and yield components of banana varieties. The highest number of finger per bunch (142) was recorded for Giant Cavendish followed by Dwarf Cavendish (141) and then Grand Nain (135) varieties whereas the minimum number of finger per bunch (101) was recorded on Poyo variety. On the other hand, the average length of randomly sampled fingers showed that the longest finger (16.54 cm) was obtained from Giant Cavendish variety whereas the shortest finger length (10.36cm) was recorded for Poyo variety. The average yield of banana has also determined for its variation between verities and there was significant (p<0.05) difference among the mean yield of varieties. Accordingly, maximum yield was recorded from Dwarf Cavendish (17.66 ton ha -1 ) followed by Giant Cavendish (16.73 ton ha -1 ) and Grand Nain (15.49 tonha -1 ) whereas the lowest yield was obtained from Poyo (10.42 ton -1 ) variety. Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish and Grand Nain banana varieties has recorded 40.99%, 37.66% and 32.73% yield advantage over Poyo variety respectively. In addition, farmer’s preferences towards the varieties were collected through supervision and by organizing mini field day. From farmer’s feedback during demonstration; Grand Nain banana variety was ranked as 1 st selection by the farmers on the bases of market preference, sweetness, medium fruit size and average good yield compared to other varieties. Moreover, Dwarf Cavendish and Giant Cavendish banana varieties were evaluated and ranked as 2 nd and 3 rd selection by the farmers compare to poyo varieties on the bases of market preference, fruit size and fruit sweetness. Hence; by combining informal research by farmers with formal on-farm testing; Grand Nain, Dwarf Cavendish and Giant Cavendish banana varieties were selected and recommended for further scaling-up in the test area and similar condition under irrigation production system.