Highlights of LeguemCHOICE Focus Group Discussion at Diga Field Site-Ethiopia A focus group discussion was conducted at two implementation sites, namely Lalisa Dimtu and Fromsa of Diga field site. The aim was: To identify and score existing legume species cultivated, To identify existing constraints for legume intensification and To search opportunity for niches for possible intervention

Previously farm typology identified through village meeting Farm typology indicator and proposed thresholds Land size (ha) Ownership of certified land Livestock ownership, types, stock size Mineral fertilizer used on main cereal crop (or as defined for field site) this/previous season, Type 1. WealthyFarmers owning ≥ 4ha≥ 6 oxen Use all “recommended” rate Type 2. Middle incomeFarmers owning >1 & < 4ha2-5 oxen Use below “recommended” rate Type 3. Lower incomeFarmers owning ≤ 1ha1 or no oxenDo not use chemical fertilizer Ownership of certified farm size, Size of livestock holdings The level of use of agricultural inputs

Number of FGD participants in both sites Implementation siteAgro-EcologyMarket Access Number of participants MenWomenTotal Lalisa DimtuLow landMedium10212 FiromsaMid-to HighlandGood7512

Knowledge of legumes and legume systems All farmers are aware of the role of legumes in soil fertility improvement and in increasing the productivity of subsequent cereal crops. Also aware of other functions of legumes such as feed for animals, shade for coffee and as fire wood. They are not aware of the mechanisms by which legumes can improve soil fertility (N-fixation).

Legume species and their category grown in the farming system Annual grain legumes Perennial grain legumes Fodder tree legumes Annual fodder legumes Lalisa DimtuFiromsaLalisa DimtuFiromsaLalisa DimtuFiromsaLalisa Dimtu Ground nutFaba bean Per. Climbing bean Per. Climbing beanSesbania Lablab Haricot beanField pea--Lucinea-- Soy bean Ann. climbing bean-- Pigeon pea -- Lupin Cow pea Chick pea Field pea Lalisa Dimtu: Ground nut, bush type haricot bean and perennial climbing bean were received highest frequency Fromsa: Sesbania, annual climbing bean, faba bean and perennial climbing bean were dominant

Major functions of legumes identified during focus group discussion Major functions of legumes identified in Lalisa Dimtu during FGD No Legume species producedLegume type Rank of legume function Ground nutAnnual grain legumeMarketFoodFeed (residue) Soil Improvement 2Haricot beanAnnual grain legumeMarketFoodSoil Improvement- 3Cow peaAnnual grain legumeFoodFeed-- 4Chick peaAnnual grain legumeMarketFood-- 5Field peaAnnual grain legumeMarketFood-- 6Soy beanAnnual grain legumeFoodMarketFeed (residue)- 7Climbing beanPerennial grain legumeFoodMarketSoil Improvement- 8Pigeon peaFodder tree legumeFoodFeed-- 9SesbaniaFodder tree legumeFeedShadeFire wood- 10LucineaFodder tree legumeFeedFire woodFence- 11Lab labAnn. herbaceous legumeFeed---

Major functions of legumes identified…. Major functions of legumes identified in Fromsa during FGD No Legume species producedLegume type Rank of legume function Faba beanAnnual grain legumeFoodMarket Soil Improvement Feed (Residue) Feed (cooked grain) 2Field peaAnnual grain legumeFoodMarket Soil ImprovementAnimal feed- 3Haricot beanAnnual grain legumeFood Soil ImprovementAnimal feed-- 4Ann. Climbing beanAnnual grain legumeFoodMarket--- 5Peren. Climbing beanAnnual grain legumeFoodMarket--- 6SesbaniaAnnual grain legumeFeed Soil ImprovementShadeFire woodFencing

Constraints related to legume area production, productivity and legume utilization Lalisa Dimtu: Lack of seeds of improved cultivars, Diseases & pests, Poor soil fertility, Termite incidence & damage Lack of awareness on functions and benefits of legumes, Low market price of their produce, Poor crop management, Cereal mono-cropping, Un affordable price of chemical fertilizer, Giving priority to cereal crops and Lack of knowledge of legume utilization in different forms

Constraints contnd…. Fromsa: Lack of awareness about the use and advantage of legumes, Lack of seeds of improved varieties, Prevailing diseases of the crops (particularly fungal disease), Insect pests, Lack of chemicals for weed control, High input (fertilizers) prices, and Decline in soil fertility

Percent of importance attached to major legume production and productivity constraints Lalisa Dimtu Fromsa

Different measures that farmers are practicing to alleviate the challenges No.Major challenges identified Different measures that farmers are practicing to alleviate the challenges 1 Lack of improved seeds and supply  Farmer to farmer seed exchange,  Purchasing from who owned,  Selecting vigor seed from locally available 2 Disease  Rouging out diseased plants,  Planting quality seeds, some cultural practices  Crop rotation, use fungicides,  Planting date adjustment  Not to plant on soils with poor fertility 3 Lack of awareness  Consulting expertise,  Trying out research results on their farm,  Experience sharing through field days,  Farmer to farmer field exchange visits and  Attending mass media 4 Low market price of produce  Keeping in store to sale during high price time  Producing a crop that have good market value.

Measures that farmers are practicing contd….. No.Major challenges identifiedDifferent measures that farmers practicing to alleviate it 5Decline in soil fertility  Use of manures,  Crop rotation,  Reducing land under cereals,  Using both organic and inorganic fertilizers  Fallowing 6Preference for cereal  Using legumes as intercropping 7Insect pests  Insecticides if available,  Mixing grain with chilly paper to protect storage pests 8High price for fertilizer  Use of compost,  Manure application,  Share cropping

Legume type preference by gender

Preference of legume functions by gender

Legume type preference by typologies Lalisa DimtuFromsa

Major use of legume types by typologies- Lalisa Dimtu

Major use of legume types by typologies- Fromsa

Possible niches for interventions According the rank given by FG: Awareness creation through practical training using demonstration of research proven technologies Provision of seeds of improved cultivars were received the highest priority Moreover: The importance of and better tolerance of fodder tree legumes to sever termite incidence than any other annual crops show us the need of immediate introduction, demonstration and scaling up of such legumes.

Introduction of new varieties of pigeon pea in particular is very important because: It is getting an attention to be used as biological soil conservation Pruned stems and leaves-livestock feed Green pods and seeds-human food Pruned pigeon peas-can be used as live stake to produce annual climbing beans which are commonly produced using dry stakes--- this helps in reducing deforestation Possible niches for interventions contd…

Maize-Legume (both bush and annual climbing common beans) intercropping is the major cropping system but harvest from intercropped legumes is very low. Therefore, Introduction, demonstration, and expansion of improved varieties compatible for intercropping (particularly for farmers with small land holding) Awareness creation and trainings on how to, when and what varieties to be used for the cropping system Trainings on optimum management practices when crops are intercropped Cereal-Legume rotation for farmers with large farm size Possible niches for interventions contd…

Double/relay cropping of common bean after green cob maize As part of a preliminary intervention activity, 30 farmers were selected to grow a short maturing haricot bean variety “Nassir”. All farm typologies identified were represented. All farmers were provided with 5 kg seeds of “Nassir” variety by Bako Agricultural Research Center to cover 500 m 2 plot size each Double and/or relay cropping had been implemented.

Preliminary intervention Nassir Local

Preliminary intervention

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