Abstract only

The appearance of Ug99 in the late 1990s prompted collaborative global research to develop wheat varieties with durable resistance, especially in the interests of resource-poor farmers in the developing world. These collaborations from 2005, led to durably rust resistant/tolerant wheat varieties in 2009. Five such varieties originating from CIMMYT/ Mexico were rapidly tested in Ethiopia with the participation of wheat farmers. Participatory evaluation of these and earlier released varieties resulted in approval of several lines that were preferred by farmers. Farmers? selection criteria were the driving force for the official release of two CIMMYT lines in May 2010. A yellow rust epidemic in August 2010 prompted promotion and pre-scaling up of new varieties, Danda?a and Kakaba, and the previously released, but less promoted variety Digalu. Danda?a and Digalu are suitable for high moisture highland areas and were favored by farmers in several districts. Kakaba is an early maturing variety suitable for mid-altitude and lowland areas. A yellow rust epidemic in 2010 caused heavy losses to long serving varieties such as Kubsa and Galama; Digalu, Danda?a and Kakaba, on the other hand, were resistant to both yellow rust and stem rust. The potential value of these varieties on farmers? fields were recognized by other farmers, extension experts in different woredas (districts) and seed producers raising the demand for seed for the 2011/12 season. This encouraged seed enterprises, private seed producers and some research centers to produce pre-basic and basic seed during the 2011 off-season (Jan-April). Farmer to farmer dissemination of seeds has also been effective and successful well ahead of the June 2011 planting time. This paper will describe the promotion and scaling-up of the three varieties.

Global Wheat Program

English

Lucia Segura

INT0610