Asian Journal of Research and Review in Agriculture

Potato is one of the important root crops contributing to income, food security, and nutrient security for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. But its production potential is hindered by inappropriate usage of the package, lack of improved tuber seed, and limited extension information. Hence, this study was implemented to demonstrate potato technologies, assess farmers’ feedback, and evaluate farmer tuber yield performance. From Goriche woreda purposively selected Moranicho Goriche kebele based on production potential, land availability (adjacent farmland up the planned 5.5 hectares), willingness of the farmers to implement full package of technology, sharing of input cost and sharing their knowledge to other farmers with collaboration of Woreda and Kebele agricultural experts. Total, 25 host farmers were selected. Demonstration started with providing awareness-creation training for farmers and agricultural experts. Necessary inputs were accessed from Hawassa Agricultural Research Center and host farmers through cost-sharing. Specifically, 18000kg of potato tuber, 235kg of NPS, and 150kg of Urea fertilizer were used per hectare. Mancozeb was applied to treat late blight. At the maturity stage, a field day was conducted with media coverage. Data on farmers' feedback and tuber yield was collected. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a qualitative method. Farmers positively perceived the demonstration results, particularly the outstanding traits of the variety 'Belete' and the effect of the package on tuber yield. The average tuber yield of the variety was 42.95 tons per hectare. The results implied that farmers were able to double their potato tuber yield by appropriately applying recommended packages with quality tuber seed. Hence, the demonstrated potato packages need to be scaled up within the demonstrated area and beyond, to similar agro-ecologies.