Pre-Extension Demonstration of Kik Type Field Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Varieties in Selected Highland Districts of Guji Zone, Southern, Oromia, Ethiopia

Research Article

Austin J Plant Bio. 2023; 9(1): 1038.

Pre-Extension Demonstration of Kik Type Field Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) Varieties in Selected Highland Districts of Guji Zone, Southern, Oromia, Ethiopia

Basha Kebede*; Tekle Bobo

Bore Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Basha Kebede Bore Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia. Email: bsshkbd@gmail.com (Basha Kebede)

Received: October 18, 2023 Accepted: November 18, 2023 Published: November 25, 2023

Abstract

In Ethiopia, many varieties were released to improve field pea yield at different locations. However, field pea’s productivity is low because the released and improved varieties were not demonstrated at farms. Therefore, demonstrating improved field pea varieties is an entry point to large extension production. Hence, this study was conducted in three highland districts of the Guji zone to evaluate the yield and profitability of kik type field pea varieties on farmer’s land. An improved variety named Burkitu and local varieties were demonstrated on 12 experimental farmers in 2022. Yield data and production costs were collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics, and the profitability of varieties were estimated by cost benefit analysis. The results showed that kik type Burkitu variety generated a yield of 23.58 qt/ha compared to 18.33 qt/ha of local variety. The result of cost benefit analysis also indicated that Burkitu (97005 birr/ha) variety gave better returns than the local variety (54022 birr/ha). Based on higher yield, disease tolerant and market demand Burkitu variety was preferred by farmers. Using improved field pea varieties was important for higher yield and return. Hence, farmers should use Burkitu for kik type field pea production. Further research is needed to promote Burkitu as scaling up varieties in the highland areas of the Guji zone.

Keywords: Agricultural Extension; Demonstration; Field pea; Burkitu variety; Guji zone

Introduction

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a self-pollinated diploid (2n=14) annual pulse crop. It is also a major food legume with a valuable and cheap source of protein having essential amino acids that have high nutritional value for resource-poor households [1]. It is a fundamental source of high-quality proteins, micronutrients, starch, phenolic compounds, dietary fibers, and antioxidants [2]. It is widely grown in the cooler temperate zones and the highlands of tropical regions worldwide. The crop has the potential of growing in variable ranges of altitudes from 1800-3000 masl [3-4]. The crop is cultivated in a wide range of soil types from light sandy loam to heavy clay, but does not tolerate saline and waterlogged soil conditions [5].

Field pea ranks second worldwide pulse production [4,6,7]. The crop occupies the fourth rank of pulse crops production next to faba bean, haricot bean and chickpea in area coverage 219,927.59 ha with an average yield productivity of 1.71 t/ha in Ethiopia [8]. The major food legumes with valuable and cheap protein sources having extended essential amino acid (21-26%) have high nutritional values for resource-poor households [10].

The crop has ecological and economic importance in Ethiopian highlands as it plays a significant role in soil fertility amendment and as a break crop. It is suitable for rotation systems to minimize the negative impacts of cereal-based mono-cropping [10,7]. It is also used as a source of income for the farmers and foreign currency for the country [11-12].

Despite its importance, the average national productivity (1.7 t/ha) is very low [8] compared to the crop potential yield (3.556 t/ha) [13] and 4.17 t/ha on research [14] and the higher yielder (7-8 t/ha) reported at some European countries [15]. Low production is mainly due to farmers’ use of unimproved cultivars [14,16-17]. On the other hand, over 80 improved field pea varieties have been released to be grown in high-altitude areas of the country [18]. Farmers did not intensively produce these varieties. Farmers did not get varieties or know the potential of released varieties. That is why the government of Ethiopia focused on demonstrating released varieties before large-scale extension production.

Field pea is a major pulse crop grown in highland areas of the Guji zone, Southern Oromia. The crop is used in different forms; some people use it as shiro (powder form used to make wat, which is mainly used with injera) at home and in hotels. Field pea is also used as kik type (the pea divided into two by grinder and it will be boiled and used with wat for consumption) while other people consume it as roasted form. Farmers used kik type and shiro type interchangeably based on the availability of the varieties. But, currently, both types were not fully available in rural farming due to a lack of improved varieties. The price of meat with good protein for human beings is increasing at farmers and people cannot afford it. Field peas, like other pulse crops, can substitute meat to give essential protein to households. However, field pea production becoming low leads to low amount of protein required for the human body. This calls for large production of field peas for the human diet by demonstrating and popularizing released field pea varieties. Almost all farmers in the Guji Zone were used local field pea varieties [18]. Hence, there is low production of field peas regardless of the potential of highland areas available for production. On the other hand, field peas are in high demand at household and national level due to its nutritional and high price. Therefore, prior to large production demonstration of released and adapted varieties is important in potential areas of the Guji zone. The objectives of the study were to: evaluate yield performance of improved kik type field pea varieties, evaluate the profitability of the improved kik type field pea varieties under farmers’ conditions and assess farmers’ feedbacks for further development of kik type field pea production at highland areas of the Guji zone.

Methodology

Sites and Experimental Farmers Selection

This activity was conducted in three highland districts of the Guji zone. Arda Jila Mea Boko, Bore and Ana Sora districts were purposively selected based on their field pea production potential. From each district, two kebeles were selected. Three (3) experimental farmers per kebele were selected.

Materials and Research Design

Kik type field pea named Burkitu variety was demonstrated with a local variety sown on selected experimental farmer’s land in 2022. Each variety was sown by 12 experimental farmers on a plot of 10m×10m. The recommended seed rate of 100kg/ha, 100kg/ha of NPS, 40cm between rows and 10cm between plants were used at demonstration. Training and the mini-field day were used to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills on improved field pea production, while the mini-field day was used to popular field pea in highland districts of study areas.

Methods of Data Collection and Analysis

Observation, measurement and interview were used to collect the data. Yield and production costs of field pea seed, land preparation, sowing, fertilizer, seed, harvesting, weeding and cost of land rent were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, while cost benefit analysis was used to estimate the profitability of demonstrated varieties. Total revenue was obtained by multiplying the yield of field pea by the farm gate price. Farm gate price was the reply of farmers’ price selling field pea at threshing time. In this study, the total variable cost was the summation of costs of seed, fertilizer, land preparation, sowing, weeding, harvesting and threshing. The fixed cost was the cost of land used for field pea production during the production year. Total cost was obtained by summation of total variable cost and fixed cost. In this demonstration, the profitability of field pea was estimated by cost benefit analysis, which was obtained by subtracting total variable cost and fixed from total revenue. Benefit cost ratio was obtained by dividing the total revenue by the total cost of field pea production. Farmers’ perceptions toward field pea varieties were analyzed in narration form.

Results and Discussions

Training of Stakeholders

The training was organized to refresh and enhance linkage with stakeholders. Farmers, development agents, subject matter specialists and others were trained in field pea production in all districts. This training was given to improve farmers and development agents in enhancing the production and productivity of field pea. Accordingly, 182 farmers, 33 Development Agents (DAs) and 25 Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) were trained during field demonstration. Additionally, 51 farmers and stakeholders participated in a mini field day on the demonstrated site (Table 1). They observed that the participants accepted improved field pea varieties and were eager to produce field pea on their land given that improved varieties were provided by research centers and/or obtained from other sources. When technology users capacitated, the technology transfer from research recommendation to technology user is simple, so the agricultural extension system should focus on capacity building [19].