Pre-extension Demonstration of Improved Tef Varieties in the Potential Growing Areas of West Shewa Zones of Oromia, Ethiopia

: This research activity was conducted in Ejere, EjersaLefo and Dendi districts of west Shewa zone Oromia with the objective of demonstrating the newly released teff variety Ebba and Niguse with standard check Dagime to the farming community in these districts. These districts and three Kebeles from each district were purposively selected based on accessibility and potentiality for teff production. After selecting farmers training was provided across the districts. Then after, two variety, Ebba and Niguse (a newly released variety) as well as Dagime (as standard checks) were planted on 20m*15m adjacent plots on 6 farmers’ and 3FTC field. All recommended agronomic practices were equally applied to all the plots. At maturity, the varieties were jointly evaluated with a team composed of researchers, Farmers and DAs. Despite the slight difference in criteria set by farmer’s plant height, disease tolerance, lodging resistance, Tilering ability, seed color, seed size, early maturity, straw yield, grain yield, were the common selection criteria across all locations. Ebba exceed the standard checks and has met the criteria of the farmers. With regard to yield, 22 qt/ha, 20.03 qt/ha and 18.33qt/ha were obtained from Ebba, Niguse and Dagime; respectively putting Ebba on the first rank. Ebba gave yield advantage of 3.67qt/ha and 16.68% yield increment over the standard cheek Dagime. The net benefits that were obtained from Ebba, Niguse and standard cheek Dagime were 67619.15ETB, 59969.15ETB and 63969.15ETB respectively. As the variety Ebba has met the intended criteria of the farmers, hence Based on these result obtained fact, Ebba variety with recommended input was recommended for further scale up and scale out for demonstration districts and other similar areas.