Assessment of Enset Farming Systems, Production constraints and Breeding primacies in Southwest Ethiopia: Implication for Conservation

Enset is an important food security crop in south, central and southwestern parts of Ethiopia. The crop is grown under diverse farming systems with very low yields. The objective of this study was to assess the present enset farming systems, farmers’ preferences, and production constraints and breeding priorities in southwestern Ethiopia. Participatory rural appraisal was conducted in the Gomma, Gera, Yem, Gimbo and Decha districts of Oromia and Southern regional states of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 125 enset growers using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus groups and key informant discussions and field observations. The study showed that more than 95% of the respondents depended on farming for their livelihoods. Main enset production constraints were enset bacterial wilt, drought, unavailability of markets and low prices, inadequate extension services and postharvest losses. Preferred enset attributes included high kocho and bulla yield, good taste and market price, tolerance to diseases, insect pests and drought, medicinal use, and early maturity. Farmers expressed their persuasive needs towards delivery of enset bacterial wilt and drought tolerant landraces and extension service, and reliable and coordinated market systems for enset in southwest Ethiopia.