On Farm Demonstration and Evaluation of Improved Dessert Type Banana Varieties in Daro Lebu District of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in Daro Lebu district of West Hararghe Zone with objective to evaluate improved banana variety on farmer’s field and create linkage and networking among stakeholders. Three kebeles namely, Oda Laku, Chafe Hara and Sororo were selected purposively based on banana production potential. A total of eight farmers were selected based on their interest towards technologies, access of irrigation, willingness to manage and allocate field trial for the activity. Three improved banana varieties namely Giant Cavendish, William I and Robust were evaluated with local variety. Four suckers of each improved variety and local banana were planted on single plot design of 2.5mx2.5m area for each. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected though observation, focus group discussion and recording with collaboration of farmers and extension agents. The collected quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics where as qualitative data was analyzed through interpretation and summarization.  The result of the study indicated that Giant  Cavendish and William I ranked 1^st and 2^nd based on yield, respectively and selected by farmers in terms of fruit size, early maturity, height, disease resistant, preferable at market & sweetness of fruit. A paired sample t-test result indicate that mean comparison of Giant Cavendish and William I along local check cultivar were statistical significant at P<0.05 level on weights per bunch and mean of number hands per bunch. Therefore, Giant Cavendish and William I varieties were recommend for further scale up for Daro Lebu district and other similar agro-ecologies.

Keywords: Banana production, Demonstration, Evaluation, Dessert Type, Varieties.