Inclusive Technology Performance Evaluation in the Production of Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter)

Abstract

Different management practices likely to enhance teff production are used in Ethiopia, however, evidence on their relative performance is little studied or unavailable. This on-farm experiment was conducted to assess the performance of different management practices for teff productivity, profitability, and acceptability in subtropical districts of North East Amhara. Four trial treatments (viz., IKIM, IBIM, LBIM, and LBFM) were laid out in an unreplicated simple block considering farmers as replication during the main cropping seasons of 2019 and 2020. Tukey’s (HSD) test following one-way ANOVA, partial budget analysis, and weighted matrix ranking were used to explain the significance level, profitability, and preference traits, respectively. Results presented a significant ( p  ≤ 0.01) treatment difference across districts in days to maturity, grain, and biomass yields. Among treatments, IKIM had short maturity days at Sekota (94), Dehana (105), and Lasta (95) districts. The grain yields were on average 1.75 ton ha−1, 1.45 ton ha−1, and 1.63 ton ha−1 at Sekota, Dehana, and Lasta districts, respectively. The lowest grain yields of 0.70 ton ha−1, 0.58 ton ha−1, and 0.63 ton ha−1 were recorded from LBFM. Despite the higher total variable costs, IKIM was gainful having 51400 ETB, 40579 ETB, and 46928 ETB net benefits at Sekota, Dehana, and Lasta districts, respectively. The MRR showed that a marginal profit of 13.77, 9.76, and 9.23 ETB was gained per each 1.00 ETB investment for shifting the practice (LBFM to IKIM). Therefore, we recommend IKIM as best management practice for consistent teff production in similar agroecological conditions.