Farmers’ preferred traits and perceived production constraints of bread wheat under drought-prone agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

Abstract Background Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a valuable commodity crop for local, regional and global markets. In Ethiopia, wheat ranks third after maize (Zea mays L.) and tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc.) in terms of total production, and fourth after maize, tef and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in areas of cultivation. The major wheat-producing areas are mainly found in the mid-altitude (1900 to 2300 m above sea level) and high-altitude (2300 to 2700 m above sea level) regions of the country that are regarded as high-potential environments due to their high and reliable rainfall. However, wheat is widely adapted and grows in diverse environments. It is produced mainly under rainfed condition by small-scale farmers. The country is ranked first in wheat production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) followed by South Africa, Sudan and Kenya. However, the average productivity of the crop is 2.4 tons ha–1, which is lower than the global (3.4 tons ha–1) average, which is due to low adoption of new improved varieties. The objective of this study was to assess farmers’ preferred traits of bread wheat variety, factors influencing their adoption for new improved variety and perceived production constraints of wheat under drought-prone agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. Methodology The study was conducted in selected districts of Arsi Zone in the Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia during 2018. A multistage random sampling was employed to arrive at household level. Data were collected based on primary and secondary sources. Relationships were examined through frequency, percentages and Chi-square values within and between districts for variables considered. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) analysis was used to identify the varietal attributes that are most preferred by the farmers. Binary logistic regression model was used to determine the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of improved varieties. Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) was computed to identify the most important production constraints perceived by the farmers in the study areas. Results High grain yield was the most preferred trait as perceived by the farmers in the study areas followed by stress adaptation (drought and heat stress tolerance), disease resistance and early maturity. The binary logistic regression model showed socio-demographic characteristics, such as education had positive and significant (p < 0.01) effect on adoption of new improved bread wheat varieties. Gender and access to extension officers affected the adoption negatively and significantly (p < 0.05). Varietal attributes, such as early maturity (p < 0.01) and plant height (p < 0.05), had positive and significant effects on adoption of new improved varieties, while adaptation and baking quality had negative and significant (p < 0.05) influences on the acceptance of the new improved varieties. Moisture stress, disease (especially rust) and the high cost of fertilizers were, in order, first-, second- and third-ranked production constraints in the study areas. Conclusions Farmers had different variety-specific trait preferences. Grain yield, rust resistance, adaptation to drought and heat stresses, and early maturity were the most farmer-preferred traits. Socio-demographic factors, such as gender, education level and access to extension officers, influenced variety adoption by the farmers. Early maturity, plant height, baking quality and stress adaptation were the major varietal characteristics contributing towards adoption of new improved bread wheat varieties. Drought stress, disease (especially rust) and the high cost of fertilizers were among the major constraints of wheat production identified by the farmers. This study can serve as a guide for future wheat breeding programmes incorporating farmer-preferred traits, including stress adaptation (drought and heat tolerance). This will enhance adoption of newly developed improved varieties and for sustainable production and food security of smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas. Future wheat improvement and extension programmes of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) should involve marginal wheat-growing environments to boost adoption of new improved varieties and the production potential of the crop.