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A diagnostic appraisal of the sorghum farming system and breeding priorities in Striga infested agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

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  • Gebretsadik, Rebeka
  • Shimelis, H.
  • Laing, M.D.
  • Tongoona, P.
  • Mandefro, N.

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench) is a globally important food security crop, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Sorghum productivity is low in subsistence farming systems due to biotic, abiotic and socio-economic constraints. The objective of this study was to determine farmers’ sorghum production opportunities, threats, indigenous knowledge and perceptions with a focus on breeding priorities Striga infestations and the farmers’ coping mechanisms in different agro-ecologies in Ethiopia. A multistage cluster sampling method was employed to interview 315 households selected from nine districts of three administrative zones within two provinces. Participatory rural appraisal tools including a structured questionnaire, pair-wise ranking, focus group discussion, and observations through a transect walk were used to collect data. The results showed that the majority of the participant farmers, (86%) were involved in sorghum production. In all study areas sorghum landraces were preferred by >85% of respondents rather than improved released varieties. Farmers listed and prioritized several sorghum production constraints based on importance and severity. The constraints varied among the study areas due to the diversity of agro-ecologies and cropping systems. Results from the pair-wise ranking showed that farmers’ have variable preferences for sorghum varieties. At the north Shewa and north Wello zones drought resistance was the most farmers-preferred trait, followed by Striga resistance. In the Metekel zone Striga resistance was the number one farmer-preferred trait, followed by grain quality. The prioritised traits will form the basis for farmer-oriented sorghum breeding.

Suggested Citation

  • Gebretsadik, Rebeka & Shimelis, H. & Laing, M.D. & Tongoona, P. & Mandefro, N., 2014. "A diagnostic appraisal of the sorghum farming system and breeding priorities in Striga infested agro-ecologies of Ethiopia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 54-61.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:123:y:2014:i:c:p:54-61
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2013.08.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Asrat, Sinafikeh & Yesuf, Mahmud & Carlsson, Fredrik & Wale, Edilegnaw, 2010. "Farmers' preferences for crop variety traits: Lessons for on-farm conservation and technology adoption," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 2394-2401, October.
    2. Singh, R.P. & Morris, Michael L., 1997. "Adoption, Management, and Impact of Hybrid Maize Seed in India," Economics Working Papers 7691, CIMMYT: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
    3. McGuire, Shawn J., 2008. "Path-dependency in plant breeding: Challenges facing participatory reforms in the Ethiopian Sorghum Improvement Program," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 96(1-3), pages 139-149, March.
    4. Edilegnaw Wale & Asmare Yalew, 2007. "Farmers' Variety Attribute Preferences: Implications for Breeding Priority Setting and Agricultural Extension Policy in Ethiopia," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 19(2), pages 379-396.
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    1. Maliata Athon Wanga & Hussein Shimelis & Girma Mengistu, 2022. "Sorghum Production in Northern Namibia: Farmers’ Perceived Constraints and Trait Preferences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Steven Haggblade & Melinda Smale & Alpha Kergna & Veronique Theriault & Amidou Assima, 2017. "Causes and Consequences of Increasing Herbicide Use in Mali," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(3), pages 648-674, July.
    3. Francis Okot & Mark Laing & Hussein Shimelis & Walter A. J. de Milliano, 2022. "Diagnostic Appraisal of the Sorghum Farming System and Breeding Priorities in Sierra Leone," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Deribe, Yared & Kassa, Etaferahu, 2020. "Value Creation and Sorghum-Based Products: What Synergetic Actions are Needed?," MPRA Paper 110587, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 09 Feb 2020.

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