Cluster-based pre-scaling up of improved faba bean variety technology demonstration at Arsirobe District of Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Large Scale Demonstration (LSD) of Faba bean was conducted at Arsi robe district of Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. The district was selected due to its potential for Faba bean production. One cluster was formed in collaboration with district level agricultural experts.Generally the cluster size covered 4.6 hectares of land. A Faba bean varity called “Ashebeka” was demonstrated along with its full-recommended packages. Training were given for a total of 46 participants (39 farmers, 3 DAs and 4 SMS) at different stage on agronomice practice of Faba bean and chemical applications. To raise farmer’s awareness on the performance of the Faba bean techinologies, a fi eld day was organized and by this fi eld day, a total of 74 participants were attended the fi eld events (59 farmeres, 7 Experts and DAs and 5 distinguished guests were attened the events). From the varity demonstrated at study district the variety was acceptable during fi eld visit and fi eld day by farmers due to its disease tolerant and well adaptation and its productivity after harvesting (the varity has a yield advantage overe the Ethiopial national average yield of fababean (21quintals per hectare CSA 2020 and “Ashebeka”; Avarage Yield=30.2; quintals per hectare was recorded in the study area. 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:


Background and justifi cation
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is believed to be one of the earliest domesticated legumes next to chickpea and pea [1,2].
It is an important pulse crop produced all over the world for both foods, feed & it serves as a cheap source of protein. It also plays a great as an excellent crop for fi xing atmospheric nitrogen [3,4].
In Ethiopia, faba bean is grown in the highlands (1800-3000 m.a.s.l.). Both Amhara and Oromiya are the two major pulse-producing regions in Ethiopia [5]. Among the twelve pulse species grown in Ethiopia. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of pulse crops grown in the cooler highlands [6].
Next to China ,Ethiopia is the second largest faba bean producing country in the world. The crop occupies close to 466,697.68 hectares of land with an annual production close to 10,067,518.28 quintals [7]. Even though Ethiopia is the world's second largest producer of faba bean, its share is not exceed 7% of world production [8].
The major factors that are usually mentioned for the low yield of faba bean in Ethiopia include climatic, edaphic, biotic (diseases, pests and weeds) factors, and poor agronomic practices [9].
Majority of the farmers use low yielding of the local varieties which contribute for low production [10,11]. When comparing the yield of fababean in Ethiopia :it is below the world average due to several factors: among these lack of improved seed is a key [12]. Therefore, this activity was aimed at promoting high yielding and most adaptable faba bean varity called " Ashebeka" in the study area by a new extension modality i.e Large Scale Demonstration (LSD) or cluster-based farming with following general and specifi c objectives.

Objective
General objective: Generally, this activity was aim to contribute for Food security by promoting newly released Faba bean technologies through Large Scale Demonstration (LSD).

Description of the study areas
The activity was implemented in Arsirobe district of potential among Faba bean producing districts of Oromia regional state in 2019/20 cropping season.
Arsi robe district: Arsi robe district is situated at a distance of about 225 km from Addis Ababa and 98 km from the Eastern Arsi zone capital city, Asela. The district is situated in Eastern Arsi Zone, Oromia regional state of geographical locations. The district has a bimodal rainfall pattern consisting of along rainy season "kiremit" from July to September and short rainy season "belig" extending March to May. It has an Latitude (DMS) of 09° 36' N and Longitude (DMS) 39° 08' E. [13,14]. Barley, fababean, Bread wheat from cereals and Oil seeds, specifi cally fl ax, nueg and rape seed, are important cash crops grown in the district [14].

Input utilization
A Faba bean Variety called "Ahebeka"was demonstrated along with its full-recommended packages. Planting was also done in a row at a seed rate of 200 kg ha -1 , NPS fertilizer were applied at the rate of 121 kg ha -1 . Ploughing, weeding, and other agronomic management practices were applied by farmers according to the recommendations.

Method of data collection
Data on Yield was collected and comparison with Ethiopian national average yield was made among the varieties planted in the study area (Cluster).

Data analysis method
The collected data (quantitative data) was analyzed by using average grain yield and package comparison among study areas were made.

Locations and farmers selection
The activity was implemented in Arsirobe one of potential of Faba bean producing districts of Oromia regional state in 2019/20 cropping season. Arsi robe was from Arsi zone Oromiya regional state. Was selected for Large Scale Demonstration (LSD) program.

Trainings provided on faba bean techinologies for the benefi cerice farmers as well as other stakeholders
As indicated in Table 2: In general Training were given for 46 participants for different stakeholders on agronomice practice of Faba bean, chemical applications and safety mechanisms.
Again as indicated in Table 2

Field days
To raise farmer's awareness on the performance of the Faba bean techinologies, fi eld day was organized ,by this fi eld day, a total of 74 participants were attend the fi eld events. Among these 59 participants were farmers (43 Male and 16 Female),4 participants were Development Agents (DAs) (3male and 1 female) again 4 of participants were also experts (3 Male and 1 Female), 5 participants were others invited special guests (4 Male and 1 Female) were attended the fi eld days and belived that awareness were created among participants of the fi eld days including experts, SMS, DAs and among participant farmers (Table 3

below).
Faba bean productivity at study area  Status of "Ashebeka" varity popularized in LSD in 2019/20 cropping season As indicated in Table 4 below an actual grain yield of the variety Ashebeka was collected from 4.6 hectares of land from Arsi robe district of Arsi zone of Oromia regional state and a minimum of 18.7 quintals per hectare, a maximum grain yields of 42.1 quintals per hectare and an average grain yields 30.2 quintals per hectare per cluster were scored.

Summery, conclusion and recommendations
Ethiopia is one of the major faba bean growing countries in the world but with a low average national yield (≤ 2 t ha-1) compared to yield levels in other countries [9]. The objective of this study was to demonstrated high yielder fababean varity colled "Ashebeka" along with its full-recommended packages.
The activity was implemented in oromia of Ethiopia in 2019/20 croping season. Arsirobe from Arsi zone Oromia regional state was selected for Faba bean techinologies demonstration in Large Scale Demonstration (LSD) program due to the area has a potential for fababean.
The actual yields of varity of fababbean was collected and analised per cluster and there was a promising average yield was recorded the varity "Ashebeka" in the study area showed higer yield than the average Ethiopian national average fababean yield 21 quintals per hectare [7].
To raise awerness among stakholders traings were prepared where Faba bean is potential like study area.