Pre-Extension Demonstration of Improved Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Varieties in verti soil of Silte Zone, Central Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia

A pre-extension demonstration of improved tef varieties was conducted at Dalocha and wulbareg districts were selected in Silte Zone. From each district, two representative Kebeles and two farmer training centers were selected purposefully based on their accessibility and potentiality. After farmers had been selected, informative training was given in all kebeles. Tef sowing was done in collaboration with respective researchers and stakeholders based on recommended agronomic practices. In the Dalocha district, the average grain yield of Areka-1 and Standard Check varieties across the two locations was 2006.75 kg ha and 1447.67 kg ha, respectively. In the Wulbareg district, the average grain yield of Cross-37 and local check varieties across locations was 1969. Kg ha- and 1514.3 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. In the Dalocha district, the improved Areka-1 variety was selected, and in the Wulbareg district, the improved Cross-37 variety was selected by all its attributes, including yield, followed by the standard check variety. In terms of profitability, using Cross-37 and Areka-1 varieties can make it more profitable than standard varieties of both districts. Based on these facts, the Areka-1 tef variety is recommended for further large-scale demonstration in the Dalocha district, and cross-37 variety is recommended for further large-scale demonstration in the Wulbareg district and in their other similar agroecology.