Wheat production in the highlands of Eastern Ethiopia: opportunities, challenges and coping strategies of rust diseases

Wheat production in the highlands of Eastern Ethiopia: opportunities, challenges and coping strategies of rust diseases

Blog Article

Ethiopia is the primary wheat producer in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) owing to the suitable agro-ecological conditions.Despite wheats economic potential for food security, the actual yield under smallholder farmers Hoover WDWFT 4138AH-80 13kg Washer 8kg Dryer A rated 1400rpm White conditions is low due to various production constraints.Thus, the objectives of this study were to assess the present wheat production opportunities and constraints and identify farmer-preferred traits to guide variety design with stem rust-resistance and economic traits in eastern Ethiopia.Data on production constraints and trait preferences were collected using structured questionnaires involving 144 wheat-producing farmers.

Wheat rust (reported by 97.3% of respondents), small land size (90.4%) and a lack of improved varieties (75.6%) were identified as the major constraints.

About 41.7% of respondents in the West-Hararghe and 27.8% in the East-Hararghe zones did not use crop protection strategies to control rusts.Substantial respondent farmers used cultural practices (18.

8%), rust-resistant cultivars (13.2%) or, a combination of these (10.4%) to control rust diseases.The essential farmer preferred traits in a wheat variety were rust resistance, high yield potential and good quality grain for bread making.

Therefore, there is a need to breed new varieties with high grain yield and quality and durable rust resistance for sustainable wheat production in Acrylic Keychain eastern Ethiopia.