Pre-extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Improved Food Barley Technologies at Highlands of Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Abstract
Food barley is a vital staple crop in the Ethiopian highlands, yet production remains constrained by a lack of high-performing crop technologies. This study evaluated the performance, profitability, and farmer acceptance of a newly released food barley variety, GABISA, against the standard check, HB-1307, in the Guji Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The evaluation was conducted across four kebeles in the Bore and Ana Sora districts using a participatory Farmers' Research Group (FRG) approach (11 trial farmers). Varieties were grown side-by-side on 10 × 10 m² plots with standard agronomic management (130 kg/ha seed rate; 100 kg/ha DAP). Capacity-building training and field days were conducted for 224 stakeholders. Data on grain yield, production costs, and farmer preferences were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and net farm income (NFI) analysis. GABISA variety achieved a mean grain yield of 45.29 Qt/ha, demonstrating a highly significant (p = .000) yield advantage of 52.9% over the HB-1307 variety (29.62 Qt/ha). GABISA variety also exhibited a narrower technology gap (5.21 Qt/ha) and a superior technology index (10.3%), indicating excellent field feasibility. Economically, GABISA generated a Net Farm Income of 267,486 ETB/ha compared to 121,513 ETB/ha for the HB-1307 variety. It yielded a benefit-cost ratio of 4.46 and an incremental benefit-cost ratio of 32.44, proving that minimal added input costs yield massive financial returns. Qualitatively, farmers ranked GABISA as their top preference due to its high yield, lodging resistance, strong tillering capacity, appealing seed color, and high marketability. GABISA variety drastically outperforms the standard check biologically and economically while meeting local farmer preferences. The study strongly recommends the immediate pre-scaling up and wide distribution of the GABISA variety to enhance food security and income for highland farmers in the Guji Zone.