Abstract:
In terms of acreage and production, pulses are the major crops in
Ethiopia next to cereals. They are cheap sources of protein when
consumed with cereals, which are deficient in essential amino acids.
Pulses .play significant role in restoring soil fertility and in export
market. However, pulse production and productivity are far below the
potential due to insufficient supply of seeds of improved varieties. Faba
bean (Vicia faba L.) and field pea (Pisium sativum L.) have the largest
share of area -and total national production of all pulses grown in
Ethiopia.
So far, a number of improved faba bean and field pea varieties have
been released. The current national Extension Package Program has
made farmers aware of the importance of improved seeds. However,
seeds of improved faba bean and field pea varieties are not sufficiently
available to farmers. It is believed that more varieties will be released
from research and the demand for high quality seed is expected to
increase, because more farmers will realize the benefits of quality seeds.
In Ethiopia, where the use of improved crop production technologies
and improved seeds is limited, the lack of technical skill is one of the
most important limiting factors in seed production. Thus, young
breeders, seed technologists, farm management units of research
centers, extension workers, private seed producers and trainers hardly
find suitable guide and appropriate source material to faba bean and
field pea seed maintenance and production. This technical manual will
hopefully fill the gap.
