Pre extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and Early Maturing Food Barley Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)
Volume 8 Issue 2, March-April 2024 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64642 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 432
Pre-extension Demonstration and Evaluation of
Drought Tolerant and Early Maturing Food Barley
Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Abdulaziz Teha, Bedasso Urgessa, Oromia Megersa
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fedis Agricultural Research Centre, Harar, Ethiopia
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Fedis, Gursum, and Chinaksan Districts
of East Hararghe Zone with areas of major food insecurity due to the
influence of shortage and uneven distribution of rainfall patterns.
Introducing drought-tolerant crops is an option to reduce this food
insecurity problem. The objectives of this activity were to
demonstrate and evaluate the productivity of adapted drought tolerant
and early maturing food barley varieties by building farmers’
knowledge and skills through training on food barley production and
management techniques in farmers’ fields at the target areas. The
activity was conducted for consecutive two years of the main
cropping season. A total of 60 farmers and 4 FTCs (Farmer Training
Centers) were involved in the activity duration. Two improved
lowland food barley (Aquila and Golden Eye) and local check
varieties were used on plot sizes of 10mx10m for all sites. Since the
technology was new in the areas, target farmers, Development
agents, and experts of the districts were trained before intervention.
Awareness creation was done through different extension approaches
and materials such as field day, field visits, manuals, and leaflets. The
result indicated that demonstrations of improved Food barley
varieties of Aquila and Golden Eye recorded higher grain yield (25.3
qt/ha and 23.83 qt/ha) compared to local check (18.2 qt/ha),
respectively. The result obtained from the demonstration plot was
very encouraging. Moreover, the varieties were identified and ranked
based on the criteria set by farmers (Early maturity, yield, Disease
tolerance, seed color, seed size, tillering effect, performance
throughout the growing stage, and biomass). Therefore, the result
indicated that using improved varieties of Aquila and Golden Eye
food barley varieties was more advantageous for farmers than using
the local ones. As a result, both Aquila and Golden Eye varieties
were recommended for more promotion in the area and other similar
agroecological situations to reduce the problem of food insecurity.
How to cite this paper: Abdulaziz Teha |
Bedasso Urgessa | Oromia Megersa
"Pre-extension Demonstration and
Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and
Early Maturing Food Barley Varieties in
Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia,
Ethiopia" Published
in International
Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research
and Development
(ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
6470, Volume-8 |
Issue-2, April 2024,
pp.432-437, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd64642.pdf
Copyright © 2024 by author (s) and
International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
KEYWORDS: Food Barley,
Improved Varieties, Demonstration,
Aquila, and Golden Eye
INTRODUCTION
Barley is the fourth most important cereal crop in the
world after wheat, maize, and rice, and is among the
top ten crop plants in the world (Akar et al. 2004).
Morocco, Ethiopia, Algeria, Tunisia, and South
Africa were the top five largest barley producers for
the year 2014 with an estimated production of
approximately 2.1 million tones,1.7 million tones,1.3
million tones,0.9 million tones, and 0.307 million
tons respectively. Barley is cultivated from 1400 to
over 4000 m above sea level, and its importance
increases in drought-prone areas and at higher
elevations (above 2800m), where poor soil fertility,
frost, water logging, and soil acidity and degradation
are the major yield-limiting factors (Asfaw, 2000).
Barley is an important grain crop in Ethiopia and has
diverse ecologies being grown from1800 to 3400m
altitude in different seasons and production systems
(Muluken, 2013) and makes Ethiopia the second
largest producer in Africa, next to Morocco,
accounting for about 25% of the total barley
production in the continent (FAO, 2014). In Ethiopia,
the national average yield of food barley was
IJTSRD64642

International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
estimated to be 1.965 and 1.966 t/ha during 2014/15
and 2015/16, respectively. Similarly, an average grain
yield of 2.228 t/ha (Oromia), 1.20 t/ha (West Wollega
zone), and 1.613 t/ha (Kellem Wollega zone) was
obtained (CSA, 2016). The major Market shares of
barley in Africa are concentrated in three countries-
Morocco, Ethiopia, and Algeria- accounting for 87%
of the total barley production in the continent
(Bezabeh, 2018).
Traditionally barley is used for making local recipes
and drinks such as Injera, Bread, Roast, Porridge,
‘Baso’, Borde’, and other types of food. Its straw is a
good source of animal feed (Yosef et al., 2011).
About 70% of the land mass of Ethiopia is prone to
low rainfall, and genetic improvement for grain yield
of different crops under this constraint has been very
slow (Mulatu and Grand, 2011). As a result, farmers
in dry areas live a precarious existence with few
resources and the risk of drought discourages
investment in inputs, particularly fertilizer. The
national barley improvement program in Ethiopia has
been working on barley with more focus on highland
areas and can release many varieties to this
agroecology. However, limited varieties were
released for dry land areas with an average annual
rainfall of greater than 500mm (EIAR, 2007). In the
case of Fedis, it was uncommon to grow barley in the
area. People in the area used to grow local sorghum
which took around eight months to mature without
rotating year after year. It is known that sorghum
canopy coverage is not sufficient enough to protect
the upper fertile soil from erratic and unevenly
distributed rainfall. Moreover, there was no
opportunity for farmers to sow other crops of small
cereals such as barley which could help to cope with
climatic disasters. Hence, this leads to the
deterioration of soil fertility, redundant pest
incidence, and crop failure.
Diversifying from the monoculture of traditional
staples can have important nutritional benefits for
farmers in developing countries and can support a
country to become more self-reliant in terms of food
production (Smale et al., 2003). Diversification can
also manage price risk, on the assumption that not all
products will suffer low market prices at the same
time (Ojasti, 2001). Compared to producing
monocultures, management techniques for diversified
crops generally consist of more sustainable natural
resource practices. Therefore, to address the problems
stated above, the extension research team aims to
demonstrate and evaluate those selected technologies
in farmers' fields. These in turn increase household
income and contribute more to food security to
alleviate food shortage. Hence this proposal was
initiated based on the yield performance of the
adaptation trial of Golden Eye and Aquila gave 29.86
and 26 qt/ha respectively.
Objectives
 To evaluate the productivity and profitability of
Food Barley varieties under farmers’
management.
 To collect farmers' feedback regarding the
technologies
 To create awareness of the importance of drought
tolerant Food Barley varieties
Materials and Methods
Description of the study area
The project was Gursum, Chinaksan, and Fedis
districts of East Hararghe Zone. The zone consists of
19 districts and Harar is the capital town of the zone
and is located at a distance of 525 km from the capital
city of the country. The agro-climatic range of the
Zone includes lowland (Kola, 30-40%), midland
(Weyna Dega, 35-45%), and highland areas (Dega,
15-20%), with lowest elevations at around 1,000m
a.s.l. culminating at 3,405m, at the top of Gara Muleta
mountain. Three districts that classified into three
agro-ecological zones such as highlands 5.28%, mid-
highlands 44.36% and lowlands 50.36%. The altitude
of this district ranges from 1200 to 2950 meters above
sea level. The total household head of the district was
28,140 of whom 25,020 were men and 3,120 were
women (CSA, 2007). The annual average temperature
varies 15o
c -24o
c. The rainfall is erratic with an
annual average ranging from 600 mm to 750 mm. The
district has a bimodal rainfall distribution, with a
short rainy season from March to May and a heavy
primary rainy season from July to September.
Chinaksan is located in the East Hararghe zone of the
Oromia region. It has a latitude and longitude of
9°30′N 42°42′E with an elevation of 1816 meters
above sea level. Based on figures from the CSA in
2005, Chinaksan has an estimated total population of
11,558 of whom 5,981 are men and 5,577 are women.
Fedis district has a latitude between 8°22’ and 9°14’
North and a longitude between 42°02’ and 42°19’
East, in middle and low land areas: altitude range is
from 1200 – 1600m.a.s.l, with a prevalence of low
lands. The area receives an average annual rainfall of
400 - 804 mm. The minimum and maximum
temperature of the area is 20 – 25o
C and 30 – 35o
C,
respectively. The population’s livelihood mainly
consists of agriculture, husbandry, and small-scale
trade. The farm units are small family holdings with
an average agricultural land area of less than one
hectare. Agriculture is mainly rain-fed. The cropping
system is classified as intensive with cereal mono-
cropping mainly sorghum and maize.

Sites and farmer selection
The activity was conducted in selected districts of
East Hararghe Zone for the consecutive two years of
the cropping season. Fedis, Gursum, and Chinaksan
districts were selected based on the potentiality of
food barley production and accessibility for close
monitoring. 4 representative potential kebeles were
selected purposively in collaboration with Experts
and Development Agents of the Agriculture Office
based on accessibility and potentiality for food barley
production. From each kebele, 1 FRG (Farmer
Research Group) member considering gender and
youth consisting of 15 farmers was established. 1
FTC from each kebele and 3-4 representative trial
farmers from 1 FRG were selected purposively. For
this experiment, a 10mx10m area was used for each
plot of land.
Table 1: Summary of selected site and farmers with area coverage of the experiment
Districts kebeles No. of trial farmers FTCs Area covered
Fedis
Gursum
Chinaksan
U/kule & B/Arba 7 2
10mx10m for each plot
Ibsa
Yugyug
3
3
1
1
Total 13 4
Source: Own computation
Research Design
Two improved Food Barley (Aquila and Golden eye) and local check varieties were planted on the plot size of
10mx10m for each site. The spacing of 30 cm between rows and seed rate of 85 kg/ha was used by drilling in the
prepared rows. Shallow planting of 2-4 cm depth was used in the presence of ample soil moisture. A fertilizer
rate of 85 kg/ha for both NPS and urea was applied. Urea is half at sowing and half at the stem elongation stage.
Two effective weeding were applied; one month after sowing and the other two months after sowing. Frequent
visiting, monitoring, and provision of technical advice were undertaken by stakeholders
Technology evaluation and demonstration methods
The evaluation and demonstration of the trials were implemented on farmers’ fields to create awareness about
the Food barley varieties. The evaluation and demonstration of the trials followed a demonstration approach by
involving FRGs, development agents, and experts at different growth stages of the crop. The activity was jointly
monitored by FRGs, researchers, experts, and development agents.
Data collection
Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through personal field observation, individual interviews,
and focus group discussion using a checklist and datasheet. Types of collected quantitative data were the number
of farmers who participated in FRG, yield performance, and the number of stakeholders who participated in
training and field days while qualitative data were farmers’ perception toward the new technology, awareness
created, and farmers’ technology selection criteria.
Data analysis
Quantitative data was summarized using simple descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and percentage
while the qualitative data collected using group discussion, key informant interviews, and field observation was
analyzed using narrative explanation and argument. Data from different sources was triangulated to get reliable
information.
Result and Discussion
Training provided for stakeholders
Training is the most important component of the extension approach. During this stage, stakeholders are
developing knowledge and skills to adapt new practices. The team members involved in the training delivery
were research-extension, socio-economic, and crop agronomics.The training was given on improved food barley
production, market information and knowledge, skill, and experience sharing, and technology transfer
approaches.
Table 2: Type of profession and number of participants in the training at Chinaksan
No. Participants
Chinaksan
Male Female Total
1 Farmers 21 7 28
2 DAs 4 0 4
3 District experts 1 1 2
Total 26 8 34

Among the training participant stakeholders, 82.35% were farmers. This showed that most of the training
participants were farmers. Of those farmers, 25% are female farmers’ participants.
Field day organized
Table 3: Type of profession and number of participants during field days at two districts
No. Participants
Fedis Chinaksan
Male Female Male Female Total
1 Farmers 43 10 30 6 89
2 DAs 4 0 3 0 7
3 District experts 3 0 2 0 5
Total 50 10 35 6 101
Different extension materials were utilized and distributed to the participants. 85 leaflets and 40 manuals on the
technology organized in Afaan Oromoo and English languages were distributed. During mini-field days and
farm visits, different questions, opinions, and suggestions were raised and reacted to by the concerned bodies.
Most farmers showed high interest in improved lowland food barley technology production because of better
grain yield and earned income by selling seeds for different stakeholders (neighbors’ farmers and non-
governmental organizations) as compared to the local seeds. All farmers were very interested in having the
technology for their future production.
Agronomic and yield performance
The performances of the food barley varieties during their growing season together with their total yields were
collected and analyzed. The yield performances for different varieties differed in all districts. The result showed
that the grain yield of food barley (qt/ha) ranges from 18.20 to 25.30. Aquila variety gave a higher grain yield
(25.30 qt/ha) followed by Golden eye (23.83 qt/ha) and local check (18.20 qt/ha). Both improved varieties used
for the experiment showed better mean grain yield in all districts. Independently in the Fedis district, the
yield performance of the varieties ranges from 17.60 to 25.90, at Gursum 16.30 to 23.80, and from 20.70 to
26.20 quintal per hectare at Chinaksan district. This indicated that the result obtained from the Chinaksan district
was better than the other districts.
Fig. 1: Yield performance of early maturing food barley varieties across districts.
The percentage increases of the improved varieties over the local check were 39.01 % by Aquila and 30.93
% by Golden Eye under farmer conditions. This showed that improved food barley varieties had
advantages over the local check.
Table 4: Summary of yield performance in study areas.
Varieties Average yield qt/ha Yield difference Yield advantage over the local check (%)
Aquila 25.30 7.10 39.01
Golden eye 23.83 5.63 30.93
Local check 18.20 - -

Farmers’ perception
Farmers selected the best-performing improved lowland food barley varieties by using their criteria. The major
criteria used by farmers were maturity, grain yield, disease, seed color, seed size, number of effective tillers,
variety performance throughout the growing stage, and biomass. Based on the above criteria; farmers evaluated
the varieties and rankedAquila first followed by Golden eye variety. Farmers identified that local seed varieties
have poor performance as compared to the improved ones.
Table 5: Ranks of the varieties based on farmers’ selection criteria.
Crop
varieties
Farmers
rank
Reasons
Aquila 1
st
Early maturity, Very good in yield, Disease tolerance, Good seed color
attractiveness feature, Very good seed size, High number of effective tillering,
Very good performance throughout the growing stage, Very good biomass yield
Golden eye 2
nd
Early maturity, Good yield, Relative to disease tolerance, High seed color
attractiveness feature, Good seed size, Good number of effective tillering, Good
performance throughout the growing stage, Good biomass yield
Local check 3
rd
Early maturity, low yield, low disease tolerance, Good seed color attractiveness
feature, Low seed size, Low number of effective tillering, Poor performance
throughout the growing stage, Low biomass yield
Table 6: Pair-wise ranking matrix result to rank variety traits.
Code
no.
Traits
Early
maturity
Overall
yield
Disease
tolerance
Seed
color
Seed
size
Tillering
capacity
Performance
at the
growing
stage
Biomass
yield
1
Early
maturity
2 3 1 1 6 1 1
2
Overall
yield
2 2 2 2 2 2
3
Disease
tolerance
3 3 6 3 3
4 Seed color 5 6 4 4
5 Seed size 6 5 5
6
Tillering
capacity
6 6
7
Performance
at the
growing
stage
7
8
Biomass
yield
Table 7: Matrix Ranking of Farmers’ Selection Criteria
S. no. Traits Frequency Percentage (%) Rank
1. Early maturity 4 14.81 4th
2. Overall yield 7 25.93 1st
3. Disease tolerance 5 18.52 3rd
4. Seed color 1 3.70 6th
5. Seed size 3 11.11 5th
6. Tillering capacity 6 22.22 2nd
7. Performance at the growing stage 1 3.70 6th
8. Biomass yield 0 00.00 7th
Total 27 99.99

Conclusion and Recommendation
Food barley is one of the important small cereal
crops in the East Hararghe Zone. However, its
productivity is low as compared to improved
varieties. To address this low productivity, the
demonstration was undertaken to implement early
maturing food barley technology under farmers'
conditions. The result indicated that demonstrations
of improved Food barley variety of Aquila and
Golden eye recorded higher grain yield (25.30 qt/ha
and 23.83 qt/ha) compared to local check (18.20
qt/ha). Suitable and widely accepted improved food
barley varieties for the study areas were identified and
ranked based on farmers' set criteria.Awareness of the
advantages of improved food barley technology for
farmers was increased through the promotion of this
technology. Using improved varieties of Aquila and
G/eye food barley varieties was more advantageous
for farmers than using the local ones. Therefore,
Aquila and Golden Eye varieties were recommended
for more promotion in the area and other similar agro-
ecological situations to reduce the problem of food
insecurity.
References
[1] Akar, T., M., Avci and F. Dusunceli, 2004.
Barley Post-harvest operations. Available at:
http://www.fao.org/inpho/content/compend/
text/ch31/ch31.htmRetrieved May 5, 2012.
[2] Asfaw Z. 2000. Genes in the Field: On-farm
Conservation of Crop Diversity. Brush SB,
editor. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers. The
barleys of Ethiopia. pp: 77–107.
[3] Bezabeh A. 2018. Malt barley
commercialization through contract farming
scheme: A systematic review of experiences
and prospects in Ethiopia. African Journal of
Agricultural Research 13: 2957-2971.
Link:https://bit.ly/2VEVWMo
[4] Central Statistical Agency (CSA). 2016.
Agricultural Sample Reports on Area and
Production for Major Crops (Private peasant
holdings main season). The FDRE Statistical
Bulletin, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[5] Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute
(EIAR) 2007. Crop Technologies Manual,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. pp: 10-12. Available
online http://www.eiar.gov.et.
[6] FAO, 2014. Crop Prospects and Food Situation.
No. 4
[7] Mulatu, B., and S. Grando (eds). 2011. Barley
Research and Development in Ethiopia.
Proceedings of the 2nd National Barley
Research and Development Review Workshop.
28-30 November 2006, HARC, Holetta,
Ethiopia, ICARDA, PO Box 5466, Aleppo,
Syria. pp: xiv + 391.
[8] Mulukenbantayehu, 2013: study on malting
barley genotypes under diverse agroecologies
of northwestern Ethiopia: Adet Agricultural
Research Center, p. O. Box 08, Bahir dar,
Ethiopia.
[9] Ojasti, J. 2001. Especies exóticas invasoras.
Estrategia regional de biodiversidad para los
países del trópico andino. Convenio de
Cooperación Técnica ATN/JF-5887-RGCAN-
BID. Venezuela.
[10] Smale, M., M.R. Bellon , J.A. Aguirre, I.
Manuel Rosas, J. Mendoza, A.M. Solano, R.
Martínez, A. Ramírez, and J. Berthaud. 2003.
The economic costs and benefits of a
participatory project to conserve maize
landraces on farms in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Agricultural Economics. 29:265–275.
[11] Yosef GH, Kebede T, Senayt
W.2011.Achievement of food Barley breeding
research for low moisture stressed environment
of northeast Ethiopia. Barley Research and
Development Ethiopia, 28-30 November 2006
Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

Pre extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and Early Maturing Food Barley Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

More Related Content

Similar to Pre extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and Early Maturing Food Barley Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

More from ijtsrd

Recently uploaded

Pre extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and Early Maturing Food Barley Varieties in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia