Abstract:
In spite of its importance, chickpea productivity is still very low in Ethiopia. The
national average yield of chickpea landraces, under farmers’ production system, is
not more than 8.8 q ha -1 (CSA 2004). On the other hand, the potential yield of the
crop under improved management system is four to five folds of the national
average. A number of factors contribute to the low productivity of chickpea. The
major constraints are low yield potential of local cultivars (e.g., the Ethiopian Desi
chickpea types, with small seed size and undesirable texture, are low in
productivity.), poor cultural practices, and susceptibility of landraces to biotic and
abiotic stresses. Wilt or root-rot complex, aschochyta blight, stunt virus, fungal
seed attack, African boll warm, and bean bruchides are among biotic factors that
greatly contribute to low productivity or production loss of chickpea. Yield
limiting abiotic factors are drought, waterlogging, and frost. Unavailability of
improved seed is also another factor for low productivity.
Chickpea is widely grown in the central highlands of Southwest, West, and East
Shewa; East and West Gojam; South and North Gonder; and South and North
Wello.
Over the last two decades, on-farm trials, demonstrations, and popularization of
improved chickpea production technologies (improved varieties and management
practices) have been undertaken at several chickpea producing areas to promote
technologies and enhance adoption. Research centers and bureaus of agriculture
and rural development promoted the technologies. The bureau of agriculture and
rural development is responsible for a wide promotion of agricultural technologies.
However, despite the efforts made so far in technology generation and
dissemination, comprehensive information on the level of adoption of improved
chickpea technologies is lacking.
