Large scale demonstration of tef variety in midlands of East Guji zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Large scale demonstration of tef variety in midlands of East Guji zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Large scale demonstration of tef variety in midlands of East Guji zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia Basha Kebede, Girma Amare, Dembi Korji This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7109412/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 14 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Large-scale production of crops is anticipated to support food consumption as the global population grows. This study was conducted to increase tef production, to assess farmers’ feedback on large scale demonstration and to assess level of tef commercialization. Training, field day and workshop were used to promote large scale production of tef. Descriptive statistics and tef commercialization index were employed in data analysis. The results indicated that Adola Rede had a total yield of 10,200 kg, whereas Odo Shakiso district produced 9850 kg. Large-scale demonstration of tef generated 1,224,000 ETB and 1,182,000ETB income at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso district cluster farmers’ respectively. Farmers’ liked the production of Simada variety due to its higher yield than other varieties. An average of 82% of the entire amount of tef product is sold by 92.31% of farmers who have reached a higher degree of commercialization. This commercialization aspect is used to engage in more rural business opportunities for farmers or to buy additional inputs utilized in extensive farming that is used to secure food for households. For the highest possible yield, farmers should grow tef in cluster farming. Cooperatives and research center should supply improved seeds. Improved tef variety and other inputs like herbicides and fertilizer should be avail for farmers on time. Shortage of seeds may be the sale of all tef yields to the market. Therefore, part of the improved tef yield should be saved by farmers for the next growing season. Commercialization Cluster farming Guji zone Large Scale Demonstration 1 Introduction In Ethiopia smallholder farms make up 90% of all cultivated land and the majority of agricultural laborers, while large commercial farms make up around 10% of the total land area. Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia are characterized by subsistence farming, minimal agricultural capacity, limited resources and market access, low productivity, and obsolete farming technologies [1]. Currently, this subsistence agricultural sector is unable to feed Ethiopia's rapidly growing population [2]. Therefore, it is essential to identify potential policies and strategies that support smallholder farmers' growth in the agricultural sector. Smallholder commercialization strategy is a key step from subsistence agricultural to a more diverse and food-secure economy. Most development practitioners see smallholder commercialization as an important part of structural transformation [3]. Smallholder transition from subsistence agriculture to commercial production is a critical pathway for poverty reduction, income, welfare, food security enhancement, and nutritional improvement in farm families [4, 5]. Since the middle of the 1960s, Ethiopia has applied a variety of extension strategies to boast the agricultural sector [6]. According to Louhichi et al. [7], Ethiopian government has been using cluster farming extension as a means of promoting rural development and reducing poverty. In Ethiopia, smallholder farmers started cluster farming in 2015 to transition from subsistence to commercial production [8]. The primary objectives of cluster commercial farms were to improve livelihoods (enable a sustainable increase in smallholder farmer productivity and profitability to increase income), food quality and affordability (support quality output at an affordable price to domestic consumers), import substitution (bridge gap between demand and supply by increasing production and marketable surplus), export and agro-processing (increase the quality and amount supplied to agro-processing and export to raise foreign exchange) and job opportunities (enable the agriculture sector to create meaningful jobs both on and off-farm [6, 8, 9]. According to Fischer and Qaim [10], cluster farming is a technique where a number of smallholders pool their resources for agricultural production, coordinate and market their products collectively, and reduce transaction costs, eliminate information asymmetries, and increase bargaining power. Duriti et al. [11] claim that cluster farming makes it simpler for development actors and the government to coordinate their efforts to reach farmers, particularly for support services like extension, training, and capacity-building programs as well as targeted input provision (such as fertilizers, improved seeds, credit, mechanization, and so on). Several commodities initiatives have been developed in Ethiopia to commercialize smallholder agriculture. Tef is a high value crop and Ethiopia's top agricultural production priorities for commercialization [12]. Tef is important for Ethiopian production, revenue, and consumption [13]. Tef is used to produce the traditional flatbread injera, as well as bread, pancakes, porridge, and alcoholic drinks [14]. Tef contributes significantly to the country's nutritional intake of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. Furthermore, straw is a significant cow feed source [15]. Most Ethiopian farmers consider it as a food security crop. Tef is gluten-free and high in iron and fiber, hence, it become increasingly popular in the international market [16]. This growing worldwide interest highlights the importance of tef, not only for Ethiopian internal consumption but also as a potential export commodity, underlining the necessity for supporting agricultural policies to promote local and international growth [17]. In Ethiopia tef is grown by 40% of smallholder farmer, accounting for 24% of total grain output [18]. However, Ethiopia's tef productivity remain low, at less than 1.9 t/ha [13, 16, 17, 19]. The major reasons for low productivity of tef includes socio-economic issues, low utilization of modern ideas, outdated seeding approaches, and lack of high-yielding cultivars [20, 21]. National and regional research institutions have created 58 tef types as well as various recommended technology packages to boost tef productivity [22]. However, farmers are unable to employ better varieties due to a lack of information, accessibility, incentives, and high input prices [23]. Improved tef varieties such as Tseday, Boset, and Dagim were demonstrated and scaled up in many locations of Ethiopia, including the Guji zone's midland [24–26]. Many varieties were produced and promoted to farmers through individual farmers' land. It was difficult to access and assist technical parts of tef variety production on each farmer's field. The price of tef in Ethiopia is growing at an alarming rate, making it unaffordable for many individuals. These necessitate the large-scale production of tef in prospective locations using a cluster strategy. However, obtaining the improved varieties and others inputs are challenging tef production at midlands of East Guji zone. Production of improved tef with the recommended packages on larger areas can minimize shortage of tef production. This can be attained by cluster based tef production through large scale demonstration of improved tef variety on farmers’ land. Location-based clusters specialized in key crops such as tef, wheat, and maize might assist Ethiopian agricultural commercialization by generating cash for smallholder farmers and ensuring food security. In this large-scale approach, the adjacent land of many individual smallholder farmers was clustered to produce proven tef variety in order to increase production volume, speed up the spread of improved variety, and improve extension services between cluster members and other development partners. Objectives To increase tef production at midland areas of Guji zone To enhance linkage between key stakeholders on tef production To assess farmers’ feedback on large scale demonstration To assess level of tef commercialization 2 Materials and Methods 2.1 Description of study districts The Adola Rede district is located 468 kilometers to the south of Addis Ababa. The district has a mean annual rainfall of 1000 mm, an average temperature of 28°C, and an altitude range of 1350–2340 meters above sea level. The main sources of income for farmers in the Adola Rede district are mixed farming, mining, and the production of forest products. Agro-ecologies of the Adola district are varied and may support a range of agricultural production. Lowland and midland parts of the district have bimodal rainfall, whereas highland areas experience unimodal rainfall. The three main soil types of the Adola Rede district are silt, clay, and sandy. Maize, haricot beans, tef, chat, coffee, and other crops are the main crops grown in the area. To the south of Addis Ababa, Odo Shakiso district is 488 kilometers distant. District farmers engaged in mixed farming, which includes both crops and animal production. Coffee, haricot beans, maize, and tef were the main crops grown there. A variety of fruits and vegetables are also associated with the district. The district of Odo Shakiso is the main location for natural minerals. The majority of the young people living in rural Odo Shakiso area worked as miners [26]. 2.2 Cluster formation and farmers selection Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede districts in the East Guji zone midlands were purposefully chosen because they have potential for tef production and were convenient for monitoring purposes. In each district, one kebele was chosen for tef cluster prediction. Kebele was chosen based on tef prospective locations and farmers' desire to plant tef in a cluster. Kebele was selected with district agriculture and land office of respective district. In each kebele one cluster was established for tef production. At each cluster adjacent land of 10ha was used for tef production. Totally, 20 hectare was covered by large scale demonstration of tef at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso districts during 2024/2025 year (Table 1 ). Table 1 Structure of tef cluster formation Districts Kebeles Number of cluster formed Land clustered Number of farmers participated through land provision Male Female Total Odo Shakiso Banti Korbo 1 10 12 4 16 Adola Rede Derartu 1 10 8 2 10 Total 2 20 20 6 26 2.3 Materials used for large scale demonstration In this large scale demonstration, Simada tef variety (DZ-Cr-385 RIL295) was used. For the two clusters, at Banti Korbo and Derartu kebeles, 500kg of Simada variety was distributed for grouped farmers. A 25kg/ha of seed rate was used. The broadcast approach was utilized on well-prepared land. NPSB fertilizer was purchased and applied at a rate of 100kg per hectare. While the Bore Agricultural Research Center offered free seed, cluster farmers purchased herbicides and fertilizer and applied them with the technical assistance of development agents and agricultural extension researchers. Hand weeding and herbicide (2-4-D) were used to control weeds. Tef was harvested manually, and the threshing was done with a tef thresher. 2.4 Technology promotion approaches For implementation of this cluster training was given for farmers, development agents, experts, and cooperatives. Field monitoring and visit was carried out to create mutual learning between researchers and farmers. Field day also organized for further promotion of cluster based approach in potential districts of East Guji zone. Different stakeholders visited tef cluster at maturity stage. 2.5 Stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities Farmers and research centers alone cannot efficiently carry out large-area projects. As a result, important stakeholders for this cluster have been identified in order to effectively achieve cluster-based tef production. Table 2 lists the important stakeholders who were responsible for the cluster's success. Table 2 Memorandum of understanding NS Stakeholders Roles and responsibilities 1 Farmers Manage the cluster activities by preparing the land, plowing, sowing, weeding, harvesting, and threshing. 2 Development Agents Select farmers, organize farmers and follow up 3 Subject Matter Specialists Follow up and monitor the activity 4 District agricultural offices Provide thresher, facilitate and coordinate cluster activity 5 Agricultural Cooperatives Provide agricultural inputs (fertilizers, herbicide) 6 Bore Agricultural research center Select location, offer training, supply seed, monitor activities, perform exchange visits, plan field day, and report. 2.6 Data to be collected and method of data analysis Yield, revenue, and perception of farmers on the cluster were gathered. Total revenue (yield * tef price) was utilized to assess revenues from large scale demonstration activity. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze yield and revenue, and narrative was utilized to assess farmers' response/perception on the large scale demonstration. The Household Commercialization Index (HCI) was used to assess the degree of commercialization for both households and individual crops [27, 28]. For this study degree of commercialization is computed as the Tef commercialization index (TCI). Tef commercialization index is the ratio of amount of tef sold to the amount tef Tef produced by cluster farmers in 2024/2025 production year. Similarly, in this study, Tef Commercialization Index (TCI) is computed by the following formula: $$\:TCI=\frac{Amount\:of\:tef\:sold}{Amount\:of\:tef\:produced}*100$$ 1 The index measures the extent to which farmer’s crop production is oriented towards the market. A value of zero indicates totally subsistence farmer and the closer the index is to 1, the higher the degree of commercialization [29]. Ayele [30] distinguished three commercial categories for farmers based on TCI: low (> 35% of TCI), moderate (35% -65%), and high (> 65%). 3 Results and Discussions This section highlights promotion tef variety in cluster, yield obtained from cluster approach, revenue generated from large scale tef production, degree of tef commercialization at the study area and farmers perception on tef cluster production. 3.1 Capacity building on large scale demonstration of tef production Farmers and development agents received training on large-scale tef production. The training of farmers and development agents focused on cluster approaches and agronomic productivity. This training is essential for instilling trust in farmers in cluster method production and sustaining tef production after the project is over. Due to limited resources and infrastructure, it is impossible to reach out to all farmers through the cluster. As a result, focusing on a certain cluster to teach and disseminate the product to others is necessary. The best practice of large scale demonstration at one kebele is a learning point for many farmers when field day is organized. At the maturity stage, a field day was also arranged to popularize the cluster technique and Simada variety in midlands of Guji zone. Therefore, this activity intensively used training and field day as best extension capacity building on tef cluster production. Table 3 shows the number of people who attended training and field days for cluster-based tef production. A stakeholder linkage workshop on large-scale demonstration was also held to increase tef production for the market and domestic consumption. The linkage with farmers, development agents and agriculture and land offices and others were enhanced through agricultural inputs delivery (seed, fertilizer, and herbicide) and information (application of recommenced practices) between agricultural research center, farmers and agricultural offices. Stakeholders’ contribution and linkage on large cluster of tef was observed on the field during field day event. As linkage of stakeholders can further succeed the more successful work than individually operated farms, the stakeholders acknowledged the cooperation of key development partners on agricultural production. Table 3 Stakeholders’ capacity building on tef cluster production Capacity building methods Participants on large scale demonstration of tef Farmers DAs SMSs Others M F T M F T M F T M F T Training 28 20 48 7 1 8 10 1 11 2 0 2 Field day 16 7 23 5 1 6 3 1 4 2 0 2 Workshop 1 1 2 0 0 0 14 0 14 4 0 4 Total 45 28 73 12 2 14 27 2 29 8 0 8 DAs = Development Agents, SMSs = Subject matter Specialists, M = male, F = femle, T = total 3.2 Tef yield from large scale demonstration Table 4 shows the yield of tef from large scale demonstration at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso districts. The minimum, maximum, mean, and total yield from the cluster in the Adola Rede area of Derartu kebele were 1,000kg/ha, 1,325kg/ha, 1,095.73kg/ha, and 10,200kg/ha, respectively. The lowest and highest tef yields collected in Banti Korbo kebele in Odo Shakiso were 950kg/ha and 1,275kg/ha, respectively. Derartu kebele achieved higher yields with 16 clustered farmers, harvesting a total of 10,200kg of tef, compared to 10 clustered farmers in the Banti Korbo cluster, who gathered 9,850kg of tef. This revealed that Derartu kebele was a better fit for Simada tef production than Banti Korbo. Though the variety was the same for both clusters the managements by farmer cluster and soil factors may lead to variation on yield. In addition to acting as family consumption and providing cash for farmers, the yield generated from large-scale demonstrations may reduce seed shortages for the upcoming season. The yield obtained from Large Scale Demonstration was comparable to 1,117-1,239kg/ha of Amare et al. [26] at the same districts. But relatively lower than 1,438.5 kg/ha of Simada variety performance [20]. Table 4 Yield of tef cluster at midland districts of Guji zone Districts (Kebeles) Land used (ha) Yield obtained (kg/ha) Total yield obtained from cluster farming (kg) Number of farmers Min Max Mean M F T Adola Rede (Derartu) 10 1,000 1,325 1,095.73 10,200 12 4 16 Odo Shakiso (Banti Korbo) 10 950 1,275 1,025 9,850 8 2 10 M = male; F = female; T = total 3.3 Revenue of large scale demonstration of tef The aim of use of improved variety in agricultural production is to increase production for household consumption as well as revenue generation for other agricultural businesses. In this study, the farm gate price of one kilogram of Simada tef at harvest was 120 ETB in both districts. This revealed that 1,224,000 ETB revenues were attained from 10,200kg of tef at Derartu cluster farmers, whereas 1,182,000ETB revenue was gained from 9,850kg at Banti Korbo cluster farmers (Table 5 ). This shows that large-scale tef production in the Guji zone's midlands increased farmer revenue. Tef prices are rising because of strong consumer demand at urban and rural population. Table 5 Revenue generation from tef cluster farmers Cluster farmers Total yield obtained from the cluster (Y) in kg Farm gate price (P) in ETB Revenue generated from cluster (Y*P) in ETB Banti Korbo 9,850 120 1,182,000 Derartu 10,200 120 1,224,000 Total 20,050 120 2,406,000 1USD = 135.481ETB (06 June 2025) 3.4 Level and index of tef commercialization Understanding the amount of commercialization at the household level and calculating the commercialization index for each individual crop are crucial since the type of crop production may affect a farmers' inclination to sell. For instance, farmers who grow cash crops and those who grow food crops that are sold or eaten on the farm may make different supply decisions. The degree of household commercialization in this extensive tef production ranged from 0.63 to 1. Table 6 indicates that approximately 92.31% of farmers have a higher level of commercialization, selling an average of 82% of the total quantity of tef produce. In contrast, there is no substance farmer in this study as all farmers participated in selling their tef yield. In terms of commercialization, 7.69% of farmers were in the medium level, selling 63.5% of their tef product on average. In this Large Scale Tef Demonstration, 80% of farmers were commercialized. This is significantly higher than the 40% of Ayele [30] on tef commercialization in the Guji zone. Due to its high price, more tef is able to reach the market, demonstrating that tef production in the midlands of the Guji zone surpasses domestic consumption decisions. This indicates that tef is a commercial crop for farmers in midlands of Guji zone. The sample farmer was selling their entire tef yield to the market in order to make money, as shown by the highest tef commercialization index of 100%. However, selling all produced has a detrimental effect on household consumption missing the essential nutrients from tef. In addition, selling of total yield resulted in a shortage of seed when planting season comes. Farmers must thus preserve their seed and plant again, at least for the next planting season. Table 6 Status tef commercialization Level of tef commercialization Sample (N) Percent Tef commercialization index (TCI) Mean Minimum Maximum Std. Dev. Low (> 35%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 Medium (35%-65%) 2 7.69 0.635 0.63 0.64 0.007 High (> 65%) 24 92.31 0.82 0.70 1 0.068 Total 26 100 0.80 0.63 1 0.820 3.5 Farmers’ perception on large scale demonstration of improved tef Farmers were interested in tef cluster approach. The study areas were suitable for cluster approach because tef is predominant crop sown in meher season. Farmers mentioned that the problem is lack of improved variety to produce in larger areas in uniformly. With the provision of Simada improved tef variety farmers’ mentioned that Simada is well adapted, productive and suitable for tef production at midlands of Guji zone. Liking freely distribution of Simada variety resource poor farmers including women farmers were liked Simada production. The challenge of tef producer in the study area was lack of improved variety and lack of accessibility at locality. White type of color of Simada gets more attention from farmers and high market demand at Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede. Farmers’ mentioned that Simada’s powder and enjera was very good so that farmers perceived to produce Simada in their farming. Farmers interested more to Simada than previously used varieties of Tseday (Cr-37). Farmers perceived that Tseday variety was lower in yield and less straw than Simada’s variety. More straw is used for livestock feed and house construction and also used as cash generating in midland farmers. 4 Conclusion A large-scale tef demonstration was held in the Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede areas. Today, large-scale production is required to feed the growing human population. Such production happens when available and potential land is organized for strategic crop production. Tef, as in other regions of Ethiopia, is a critical crop in Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede for increasing yield, maintaining food security, and generating money for farmers through yield and straws. Such high value crop needs large production on farmers through large scale in potential areas. Large scale production convenient crop production due to it is easy for monitoring since the activity is conducted on the same cluster area. Large production has implication for nutrient demand for resource poor farmers. In this cluster, farmers were capacitated through training and field day on Simada tef production. A good yield was harvested from the large scale demonstration. In addition to yield increment the production of tef through large scale demonstration was generated a revenue for farmers. Farmers mentioned that Simada variety was very interesting variety in midlands of East Guji zone. Farmers were more interested to grow on cluster as seed and information were available for cluster. Availability and accessibility of improved variety like Simada can sustain cluster farming in midlands of Guji zone. Tef is highly commercial crop at midlands of Guji zone indicating participation of farmers on the market for agricultural and other business to sustain their livelihood. High volume of product was obtained from Large scale demonstration of improved tef technology which invites farmers’ participation of farmers on market either to sustain agricultural production or other rural businesses due to the high profitability of tef production. 5 Recommendations Farmers should grow tef in clusters for optimal yield. Cooperatives and research center should supply improved seeds. In addition to seed distribution, fertilizer should be distributed on a loan basis because impoverished farmers, such as youth and women, are unable to fully purchase and apply all recommended packages. Farmers should work together for bargaining seed and input prices. Agricultural cooperatives of the districts should buy the produce from clustered farmers and then distribute it to other kebeles in Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede districts. Because tef generates excess revenue that is utilized for various family expenditures, focusing on commercialization of tef is crucial for agricultural and other development activities in the midlands of the Guji zone. Midlands of Guji zone are ideal for tef cluster production of tef because there is free large area for production during meher season (after September). Hence, improved tef variety and other inputs including herbicides and fertilizer should be avail for farmers on time. Sale of all tef yields to the market can rise the scarcity of seeds. Therefore, farmers should save some amount of improved tef variety for the next growing season. 6 Limitations and future research This study only focused on tef cluster production at two midland areas. It should be conducted on all midland districts of Guji zone where tef production is possible. The study only focused on production of tef not on impact of tef cluster production on farmers’ nutrition behavior, food security and livelihood improvement. Hence, future research should focus on these limitations. Declarations Acknowledgements Food System Resilience Program (FSRP) was thanked for funding this research. The Bore Agricultural Research Center was employed to provide vehicle support. The devotion of development agents and farmers in the Derartu and Banti Korbo kebeles were acknowledged. Author contributions Conceptualization, B.K.; methodology, B.K.; validation, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; formal analysis, B.K.; investigation, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; resources, B.K.; data curation, B.K.; writing—original draft preparation, B.K.; writing—review and editing, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; visualization, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; supervision, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; project administration, B.K.; funding acquisition, B.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding The research was supported by the Food System Resilience Program. Data availability. Data is provided within the manuscript. Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Consent for publication. Not applicable. Ethical approval. Not applicable. Consent to participate This research was conducted based on farmers’ interest to grow tef and their willingness to provide land for tef production and share information. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. References Ali, H., Menza, M., Hagos, F., & Haileslassie, A. (2022). Impact of climate-smart agriculture adoption on food security and multidimensional poverty of rural farm households in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Agriculture & Food Security , 11 (1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-022-00401-5 Assefa, D., Delele, B. T., & Molla, A. (2024). Impact of Teff commercialization on smallholder farmers’ food security in Northwestern, Ethiopia. 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International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences , 2 (5), 13–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-6224.0205003 Anteneh, A., & Endalew, B. (2023). Determinants of teff commercialization among smallholder farmers: Beta regression approach. Cogent Social Sciences , 9 (1), 2209987. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2209987 Govereh J, Jayne TS, Nyoro J (1999). Smallholder commercialization, interlinked markets and food crop productivity: Cross-country evidence in eastern and southern Africa. http://www.aec.msu.edu/fs2/ag_transformation/atw_govereh Ayele, T. (2022). Cereal crops commercialization and welfare of households in Guji Zone, Ethiopia. Heliyon , 8 (9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10687 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia are characterized by subsistence farming, minimal agricultural capacity, limited resources and market access, low productivity, and obsolete farming technologies [1]. Currently, this subsistence agricultural sector is unable to feed Ethiopia's rapidly growing population [2]. Therefore, it is essential to identify potential policies and strategies that support smallholder farmers' growth in the agricultural sector. Smallholder commercialization strategy is a key step from subsistence agricultural to a more diverse and food-secure economy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost development practitioners see smallholder commercialization as an important part of structural transformation [3]. Smallholder transition from subsistence agriculture to commercial production is a critical pathway for poverty reduction, income, welfare, food security enhancement, and nutritional improvement in farm families [4, 5].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince the middle of the 1960s, Ethiopia has applied a variety of extension strategies to boast the agricultural sector [6]. According to Louhichi \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e [7], Ethiopian government has been using cluster farming extension as a means of promoting rural development and reducing poverty. In Ethiopia, smallholder farmers started cluster farming in 2015 to transition from subsistence to commercial production [8]. The primary objectives of cluster commercial farms were to improve livelihoods (enable a sustainable increase in smallholder farmer productivity and profitability to increase income), food quality and affordability (support quality output at an affordable price to domestic consumers), import substitution (bridge gap between demand and supply by increasing production and marketable surplus), export and agro-processing (increase the quality and amount supplied to agro-processing and export to raise foreign exchange) and job opportunities (enable the agriculture sector to create meaningful jobs both on and off-farm [6, 8, 9].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Fischer and Qaim [10], cluster farming is a technique where a number of smallholders pool their resources for agricultural production, coordinate and market their products collectively, and reduce transaction costs, eliminate information asymmetries, and increase bargaining power. Duriti \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e [11] claim that cluster farming makes it simpler for development actors and the government to coordinate their efforts to reach farmers, particularly for support services like extension, training, and capacity-building programs as well as targeted input provision (such as fertilizers, improved seeds, credit, mechanization, and so on).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral commodities initiatives have been developed in Ethiopia to commercialize smallholder agriculture. Tef is a high value crop and Ethiopia's top agricultural production priorities for commercialization [12]. Tef is important for Ethiopian production, revenue, and consumption [13]. Tef is used to produce the traditional flatbread injera, as well as bread, pancakes, porridge, and alcoholic drinks [14]. Tef contributes significantly to the country's nutritional intake of protein, carbohydrates, and minerals. Furthermore, straw is a significant cow feed source [15]. Most Ethiopian farmers consider it as a food security crop. Tef is gluten-free and high in iron and fiber, hence, it become increasingly popular in the international market [16]. This growing worldwide interest highlights the importance of tef, not only for Ethiopian internal consumption but also as a potential export commodity, underlining the necessity for supporting agricultural policies to promote local and international growth [17].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Ethiopia tef is grown by 40% of smallholder farmer, accounting for 24% of total grain output [18]. However, Ethiopia's tef productivity remain low, at less than 1.9 t/ha [13, 16, 17, 19]. The major reasons for low productivity of tef includes socio-economic issues, low utilization of modern ideas, outdated seeding approaches, and lack of high-yielding cultivars [20, 21]. National and regional research institutions have created 58 tef types as well as various recommended technology packages to boost tef productivity [22]. However, farmers are unable to employ better varieties due to a lack of information, accessibility, incentives, and high input prices [23].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eImproved tef varieties such as Tseday, Boset, and Dagim were demonstrated and scaled up in many locations of Ethiopia, including the Guji zone's midland [24\u0026ndash;26]. Many varieties were produced and promoted to farmers through individual farmers' land. It was difficult to access and assist technical parts of tef variety production on each farmer's field. The price of tef in Ethiopia is growing at an alarming rate, making it unaffordable for many individuals. These necessitate the large-scale production of tef in prospective locations using a cluster strategy. However, obtaining the improved varieties and others inputs are challenging tef production at midlands of East Guji zone. Production of improved tef with the recommended packages on larger areas can minimize shortage of tef production. This can be attained by cluster based tef production through large scale demonstration of improved tef variety on farmers\u0026rsquo; land. Location-based clusters specialized in key crops such as tef, wheat, and maize might assist Ethiopian agricultural commercialization by generating cash for smallholder farmers and ensuring food security. In this large-scale approach, the adjacent land of many individual smallholder farmers was clustered to produce proven tef variety in order to increase production volume, speed up the spread of improved variety, and improve extension services between cluster members and other development partners.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eObjectives\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e To increase tef production at midland areas of Guji zone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo enhance linkage between key stakeholders on tef production\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo assess farmers\u0026rsquo; feedback on large scale demonstration\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo assess level of tef commercialization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.1 Description of study districts\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Adola Rede district is located 468 kilometers to the south of Addis Ababa. The district has a mean annual rainfall of 1000 mm, an average temperature of 28\u0026deg;C, and an altitude range of 1350\u0026ndash;2340 meters above sea level. The main sources of income for farmers in the Adola Rede district are mixed farming, mining, and the production of forest products. Agro-ecologies of the Adola district are varied and may support a range of agricultural production. Lowland and midland parts of the district have bimodal rainfall, whereas highland areas experience unimodal rainfall. The three main soil types of the Adola Rede district are silt, clay, and sandy. Maize, haricot beans, tef, chat, coffee, and other crops are the main crops grown in the area. To the south of Addis Ababa, Odo Shakiso district is 488 kilometers distant. District farmers engaged in mixed farming, which includes both crops and animal production. Coffee, haricot beans, maize, and tef were the main crops grown there. A variety of fruits and vegetables are also associated with the district. The district of Odo Shakiso is the main location for natural minerals. The majority of the young people living in rural Odo Shakiso area worked as miners [26].\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.2 Cluster formation and farmers selection\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOdo Shakiso and Adola Rede districts in the East Guji zone midlands were purposefully chosen because they have potential for tef production and were convenient for monitoring purposes. In each district, one kebele was chosen for tef cluster prediction. Kebele was chosen based on tef prospective locations and farmers' desire to plant tef in a cluster. Kebele was selected with district agriculture and land office of respective district. In each kebele one cluster was established for tef production. At each cluster adjacent land of 10ha was used for tef production. Totally, 20 hectare was covered by large scale demonstration of tef at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso districts during 2024/2025 year (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStructure of tef cluster formation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistricts\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKebeles\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of cluster formed\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand clustered\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of farmers participated through land provision\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOdo Shakiso\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBanti Korbo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdola Rede\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDerartu\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.3 Materials used for large scale demonstration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this large scale demonstration, Simada tef variety (DZ-Cr-385 RIL295) was used. For the two clusters, at Banti Korbo and Derartu kebeles, 500kg of Simada variety was distributed for grouped farmers. A 25kg/ha of seed rate was used. The broadcast approach was utilized on well-prepared land. NPSB fertilizer was purchased and applied at a rate of 100kg per hectare. While the Bore Agricultural Research Center offered free seed, cluster farmers purchased herbicides and fertilizer and applied them with the technical assistance of development agents and agricultural extension researchers. Hand weeding and herbicide (2-4-D) were used to control weeds. Tef was harvested manually, and the threshing was done with a tef thresher.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.4 Technology promotion approaches\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor implementation of this cluster training was given for farmers, development agents, experts, and cooperatives. Field monitoring and visit was carried out to create mutual learning between researchers and farmers. Field day also organized for further promotion of cluster based approach in potential districts of East Guji zone. Different stakeholders visited tef cluster at maturity stage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.5 Stakeholders\u0026rsquo; roles and responsibilities\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarmers and research centers alone cannot efficiently carry out large-area projects. As a result, important stakeholders for this cluster have been identified in order to effectively achieve cluster-based tef production. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e lists the important stakeholders who were responsible for the cluster's success.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMemorandum of understanding\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStakeholders\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoles and responsibilities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarmers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eManage the cluster activities by preparing the land, plowing, sowing, weeding, harvesting, and threshing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDevelopment Agents\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSelect farmers, organize farmers and follow up\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSubject Matter Specialists\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollow up and monitor the activity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistrict agricultural offices\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide thresher, facilitate and coordinate cluster activity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgricultural Cooperatives\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide agricultural inputs (fertilizers, herbicide)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBore Agricultural research center\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSelect location, offer training, supply seed, monitor activities, perform exchange visits, plan field day, and report.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.6 Data to be collected and method of data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eYield, revenue, and perception of farmers on the cluster were gathered. Total revenue (yield * tef price) was utilized to assess revenues from large scale demonstration activity. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze yield and revenue, and narrative was utilized to assess farmers' response/perception on the large scale demonstration. The Household Commercialization Index (HCI) was used to assess the degree of commercialization for both households and individual crops [27, 28]. For this study degree of commercialization is computed as the Tef commercialization index (TCI). Tef commercialization index is the ratio of amount of tef sold to the amount tef Tef produced by cluster farmers in 2024/2025 production year. Similarly, in this study, Tef Commercialization Index (TCI) is computed by the following formula:\u003cdiv id=\"Equ1\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equ1\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:TCI=\\frac{Amount\\:of\\:tef\\:sold}{Amount\\:of\\:tef\\:produced}*100$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"EquationNumber\"\u003e1\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe index measures the extent to which farmer\u0026rsquo;s crop production is oriented towards the market. A value of zero indicates totally subsistence farmer and the closer the index is to 1, the higher the degree of commercialization [29]. Ayele [30] distinguished three commercial categories for farmers based on TCI: low (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35% of TCI), moderate (35% -65%), and high (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;65%).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3 Results and Discussions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis section highlights promotion tef variety in cluster, yield obtained from cluster approach, revenue generated from large scale tef production, degree of tef commercialization at the study area and farmers perception on tef cluster production.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1 Capacity building on large scale demonstration of tef production\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarmers and development agents received training on large-scale tef production. The training of farmers and development agents focused on cluster approaches and agronomic productivity. This training is essential for instilling trust in farmers in cluster method production and sustaining tef production after the project is over. Due to limited resources and infrastructure, it is impossible to reach out to all farmers through the cluster. As a result, focusing on a certain cluster to teach and disseminate the product to others is necessary. The best practice of large scale demonstration at one kebele is a learning point for many farmers when field day is organized. At the maturity stage, a field day was also arranged to popularize the cluster technique and Simada variety in midlands of Guji zone. Therefore, this activity intensively used training and field day as best extension capacity building on tef cluster production. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows the number of people who attended training and field days for cluster-based tef production. A stakeholder linkage workshop on large-scale demonstration was also held to increase tef production for the market and domestic consumption. The linkage with farmers, development agents and agriculture and land offices and others were enhanced through agricultural inputs delivery (seed, fertilizer, and herbicide) and information (application of recommenced practices) between agricultural research center, farmers and agricultural offices. Stakeholders\u0026rsquo; contribution and linkage on large cluster of tef was observed on the field during field day event. As linkage of stakeholders can further succeed the more successful work than individually operated farms, the stakeholders acknowledged the cooperation of key development partners on agricultural production.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStakeholders\u0026rsquo; capacity building on tef cluster production\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"13\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCapacity building methods\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants on large scale demonstration of tef\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarmers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDAs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSMSs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTraining\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eField day\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorkshop\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"13\"\u003eDAs\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Development Agents, SMSs\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Subject matter Specialists, M\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;male, F\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;femle, T\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;total\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2 Tef yield from large scale demonstration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e shows the yield of tef from large scale demonstration at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso districts. The minimum, maximum, mean, and total yield from the cluster in the Adola Rede area of Derartu kebele were 1,000kg/ha, 1,325kg/ha, 1,095.73kg/ha, and 10,200kg/ha, respectively. The lowest and highest tef yields collected in Banti Korbo kebele in Odo Shakiso were 950kg/ha and 1,275kg/ha, respectively. Derartu kebele achieved higher yields with 16 clustered farmers, harvesting a total of 10,200kg of tef, compared to 10 clustered farmers in the Banti Korbo cluster, who gathered 9,850kg of tef. This revealed that Derartu kebele was a better fit for Simada tef production than Banti Korbo. Though the variety was the same for both clusters the managements by farmer cluster and soil factors may lead to variation on yield. In addition to acting as family consumption and providing cash for farmers, the yield generated from large-scale demonstrations may reduce seed shortages for the upcoming season. The yield obtained from Large Scale Demonstration was comparable to 1,117-1,239kg/ha of Amare \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e [26] at the same districts. But relatively lower than 1,438.5 kg/ha of Simada variety performance [20].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYield of tef cluster at midland districts of Guji zone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistricts (Kebeles)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLand used (ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYield obtained (kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal yield obtained from cluster farming (kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber of farmers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMin\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMax\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdola Rede (Derartu)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,325\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,095.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10,200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOdo Shakiso (Banti Korbo)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e950\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,275\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,025\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9,850\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;male; F\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;female; T\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;total\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.3 Revenue of large scale demonstration of tef\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe aim of use of improved variety in agricultural production is to increase production for household consumption as well as revenue generation for other agricultural businesses. In this study, the farm gate price of one kilogram of Simada tef at harvest was 120 ETB in both districts. This revealed that 1,224,000 ETB revenues were attained from 10,200kg of tef at Derartu cluster farmers, whereas 1,182,000ETB revenue was gained from 9,850kg at Banti Korbo cluster farmers (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). This shows that large-scale tef production in the Guji zone's midlands increased farmer revenue. Tef prices are rising because of strong consumer demand at urban and rural population.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRevenue generation from tef cluster farmers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCluster farmers\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal yield obtained from the cluster (Y) in kg\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarm gate price (P) in ETB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRevenue generated from cluster (Y*P) in ETB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBanti Korbo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9,850\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,182,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDerartu\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10,200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,224,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20,050\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2,406,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1USD = 135.481ETB (06 June 2025)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.4 Level and index of tef commercialization\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the amount of commercialization at the household level and calculating the commercialization index for each individual crop are crucial since the type of crop production may affect a farmers' inclination to sell. For instance, farmers who grow cash crops and those who grow food crops that are sold or eaten on the farm may make different supply decisions. The degree of household commercialization in this extensive tef production ranged from 0.63 to 1. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e indicates that approximately 92.31% of farmers have a higher level of commercialization, selling an average of 82% of the total quantity of tef produce. In contrast, there is no substance farmer in this study as all farmers participated in selling their tef yield. In terms of commercialization, 7.69% of farmers were in the medium level, selling 63.5% of their tef product on average. In this Large Scale Tef Demonstration, 80% of farmers were commercialized. This is significantly higher than the 40% of Ayele [30] on tef commercialization in the Guji zone. Due to its high price, more tef is able to reach the market, demonstrating that tef production in the midlands of the Guji zone surpasses domestic consumption decisions. This indicates that tef is a commercial crop for farmers in midlands of Guji zone. The sample farmer was selling their entire tef yield to the market in order to make money, as shown by the highest tef commercialization index of 100%. However, selling all produced has a detrimental effect on household consumption missing the essential nutrients from tef. In addition, selling of total yield resulted in a shortage of seed when planting season comes. Farmers must thus preserve their seed and plant again, at least for the next planting season.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatus tef commercialization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLevel of tef commercialization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSample (N)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePercent\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTef commercialization index (TCI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMinimum\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaximum\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStd. Dev.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedium (35%-65%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.635\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;65%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.068\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.820\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.5 Farmers\u0026rsquo; perception on large scale demonstration of improved tef\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFarmers were interested in tef cluster approach. The study areas were suitable for cluster approach because tef is predominant crop sown in \u003cem\u003emeher\u003c/em\u003e season. Farmers mentioned that the problem is lack of improved variety to produce in larger areas in uniformly. With the provision of Simada improved tef variety farmers\u0026rsquo; mentioned that Simada is well adapted, productive and suitable for tef production at midlands of Guji zone. Liking freely distribution of Simada variety resource poor farmers including women farmers were liked Simada production. The challenge of tef producer in the study area was lack of improved variety and lack of accessibility at locality. White type of color of Simada gets more attention from farmers and high market demand at Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede. Farmers\u0026rsquo; mentioned that Simada\u0026rsquo;s powder and \u003cem\u003eenjera\u003c/em\u003e was very good so that farmers perceived to produce Simada in their farming. Farmers interested more to Simada than previously used varieties of Tseday (Cr-37). Farmers perceived that Tseday variety was lower in yield and less straw than Simada\u0026rsquo;s variety. More straw is used for livestock feed and house construction and also used as cash generating in midland farmers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4 Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eA large-scale tef demonstration was held in the Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede areas. Today, large-scale production is required to feed the growing human population. Such production happens when available and potential land is organized for strategic crop production. Tef, as in other regions of Ethiopia, is a critical crop in Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede for increasing yield, maintaining food security, and generating money for farmers through yield and straws. Such high value crop needs large production on farmers through large scale in potential areas. Large scale production convenient crop production due to it is easy for monitoring since the activity is conducted on the same cluster area. Large production has implication for nutrient demand for resource poor farmers. In this cluster, farmers were capacitated through training and field day on Simada tef production. A good yield was harvested from the large scale demonstration. In addition to yield increment the production of tef through large scale demonstration was generated a revenue for farmers. Farmers mentioned that Simada variety was very interesting variety in midlands of East Guji zone. Farmers were more interested to grow on cluster as seed and information were available for cluster. Availability and accessibility of improved variety like Simada can sustain cluster farming in midlands of Guji zone. Tef is highly commercial crop at midlands of Guji zone indicating participation of farmers on the market for agricultural and other business to sustain their livelihood. High volume of product was obtained from Large scale demonstration of improved tef technology which invites farmers\u0026rsquo; participation of farmers on market either to sustain agricultural production or other rural businesses due to the high profitability of tef production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5 Recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003eFarmers should grow tef in clusters for optimal yield. Cooperatives and research center should supply improved seeds. In addition to seed distribution, fertilizer should be distributed on a loan basis because impoverished farmers, such as youth and women, are unable to fully purchase and apply all recommended packages. Farmers should work together for bargaining seed and input prices. Agricultural cooperatives of the districts should buy the produce from clustered farmers and then distribute it to other kebeles in Odo Shakiso and Adola Rede districts. Because tef generates excess revenue that is utilized for various family expenditures, focusing on commercialization of tef is crucial for agricultural and other development activities in the midlands of the Guji zone. Midlands of Guji zone are ideal for tef cluster production of tef because there is free large area for production during \u003cem\u003emeher\u003c/em\u003e season (after September). Hence, improved tef variety and other inputs including herbicides and fertilizer should be avail for farmers on time. Sale of all tef yields to the market can rise the scarcity of seeds. Therefore, farmers should save some amount of improved tef variety for the next growing season.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6 Limitations and future research","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study only focused on tef cluster production at two midland areas. It should be conducted on all midland districts of Guji zone where tef production is possible. The study only focused on production of tef not on impact of tef cluster production on farmers\u0026rsquo; nutrition behavior, food security and livelihood improvement. Hence, future research should focus on these limitations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003eFood System Resilience Program (FSRP) was thanked for funding this research. The Bore Agricultural Research Center was employed to provide vehicle support. The devotion of development agents and farmers in the Derartu and Banti Korbo kebeles were acknowledged.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConceptualization, B.K.; methodology, B.K.; validation, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; formal analysis, B.K.; investigation, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; resources, B.K.; data curation, B.K.; writing\u0026mdash;original draft preparation, B.K.; writing\u0026mdash;review and editing, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; visualization, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; supervision, B.K., D.K. and G.A.; project administration, B.K.; funding acquisition, B.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e The research was supported by the Food System Resilience Program.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability.\u003c/strong\u003e Data is provided within the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of interest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was conducted based on farmers\u0026rsquo; interest to grow tef and their willingness to provide land for tef production and share information.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAli, H., Menza, M., Hagos, F., \u0026amp; Haileslassie, A. 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Demonstration of improved teff varieties at selected midland districts of Guji zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eAsian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e(7), 131–135. DOI: 10.18488/journal.1005/2017.7.7/1005.7.131.135\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasha, K., Girma, A., \u0026amp; Dembi, K. (2021). Pre extension Demonstration of Tef Technologies at Midlands of Guji Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Energy and Environmental Science\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e6\u003c/em\u003e(5), 116–121. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20210605.11\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmare, G., Kebede, B., Korji, D., \u0026amp; Bobo, T. (2023). 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Smallholder commercialization, interlinked markets and food crop productivity: Cross-country evidence in eastern and southern Africa. http://www.aec.msu.edu/fs2/ag_transformation/atw_govereh\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAyele, T. (2022). Cereal crops commercialization and welfare of households in Guji Zone, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eHeliyon\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e8\u003c/em\u003e(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10687\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Agriculture](https://www.springer.com/journal/44279)","snPcode":"44279","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44279/3","title":"Discover Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Commercialization, Cluster farming, Guji zone, Large Scale Demonstration","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7109412/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7109412/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eLarge-scale production of crops is anticipated to support food consumption as the global population grows. This study was conducted to increase tef production, to assess farmers\u0026rsquo; feedback on large scale demonstration and to assess level of tef commercialization. Training, field day and workshop were used to promote large scale production of tef. Descriptive statistics and tef commercialization index were employed in data analysis. The results indicated that Adola Rede had a total yield of 10,200 kg, whereas Odo Shakiso district produced 9850 kg. Large-scale demonstration of tef generated 1,224,000 ETB and 1,182,000ETB income at Adola Rede and Odo Shakiso district cluster farmers\u0026rsquo; respectively. Farmers\u0026rsquo; liked the production of Simada variety due to its higher yield than other varieties. An average of 82% of the entire amount of tef product is sold by 92.31% of farmers who have reached a higher degree of commercialization. This commercialization aspect is used to engage in more rural business opportunities for farmers or to buy additional inputs utilized in extensive farming that is used to secure food for households. For the highest possible yield, farmers should grow tef in cluster farming. Cooperatives and research center should supply improved seeds. Improved tef variety and other inputs like herbicides and fertilizer should be avail for farmers on time. Shortage of seeds may be the sale of all tef yields to the market. Therefore, part of the improved tef yield should be saved by farmers for the next growing season.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Large scale demonstration of tef variety in midlands of East Guji zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-01 09:55:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7109412/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":1},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-25T06:23:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-12T19:29:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"47975195400612597256677744563585728456","date":"2025-10-05T14:41:27+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-01T11:21:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"132204276631484978668361089791381429753","date":"2025-10-01T10:14:15+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"45511733811820897591312541028466160140","date":"2025-09-30T05:48:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"170993652890127449277458839823411066859","date":"2025-08-22T08:56:43+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-19T17:47:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"228838915596360245607774433032179318475","date":"2025-07-29T03:25:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-27T15:50:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-24T09:49:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-17T12:48:16+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-17T12:48:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Agriculture","date":"2025-07-12T16:48:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Agriculture](https://www.springer.com/journal/44279)","snPcode":"44279","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44279/3","title":"Discover Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"7931f764-49dc-42bb-87cf-e4e60891b84a","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 1st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-10T07:38:27+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-01 09:55:21","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7109412","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7109412","identity":"rs-7109412","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}