yitages kuma | Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (original) (raw)
Papers by yitages kuma
Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
Ethiopia's varied agro-ecological zones which support onion cultivation, contributing significant... more Ethiopia's varied agro-ecological zones which support onion cultivation,
contributing significantly to the economy. However, challenges persist within Ethiopia's seed supply system, particularly in regions like the Gelealo District, Afar, where agro-pastoral livelihoods predominate. To address these challenges, a community-based onion seed production activity was initiated, employing a comprehensive approach during the 2023/24 cropping season using Nafis variety. The activity involved the formation of PAPREGs, baseline assessments, capacity-building, onion seed production implementation, hands-on field day events for knowledge dissemination. The collected data were analyzed using SAS statistical
software. Despite prevalent onion cultivation, experience in seed production was limited (93.33%), highlighting the need for skill enhancement via theoretical and practical training. Through practical sessions, about 40 participants gained insights into seed acquisition patterns and production techniques, stimulating discussions on community-based seed production to optimize agricultural outcomes. Statistical analysis comparing kebele groups within PAPREGs demonstrated significant differences in yield and yield-related traits, suggesting varying productivity potentials. The independent sample t-test of yield and yield related traits were showed advantage of Beidi over Debel PAPREGs. Accordingly, Beidi PAPREGs have an advantage of 200, 69.57, 36.68 and 51.37 percent over Debel for SYPP, NUPP, UD, and LMS, respectively. The activity attracted diverse stakeholders, and a cost-
benefit analysis indicated substantial net profits, affirming the economic viability of onion seed production. In this case, the CBR of 4.976 reflects a favorable return, demonstrating that onion seed production is economically viable and yields substantial profits relative to the initial investment. Insights from PAPREGs emphasized their commitment to the project and underscored the importance of continued support from research centers. Lessons drawn highlighted the efficacy of utilizing underground water for irrigation, stakeholder integration, rapid learning
capacities, and the value of local information dissemination systems. Future focuses include enhancing pest and animal controlling, and continuous training. In conclusion, the PAPREGs activity has laid a robust foundation for onion seed production enhancement, with recommendations poised to bolster onion productivity, economic stability, and resilience in the study area, emphasizing the vital of community engagement and innovation.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced adoption of... more Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced adoption of suitable improved varieties in order to address the needs of a broader range of users and to enhance farmer skills in variety selection and seed production efforts. It plays significant role in collaboration between breeders, farmers, marketers, processors, consumers, and policy makers. It also allows farmers to take part in the development of new varieties more suitable to marginal environments and to organic farming agronomic practices. Several different improved sorghum varieties are released at different international and national research institutions in different times, however the technologies were not properly addressed the farmers based on participatory, client oriented and demand driven. Therefore, the experiment was conducted in Eastern part of Ethiopia of Oromia regional state to evaluate the performance of improved sorghum varieties and to identify farmers' preference traits through continuous performance evaluation at different stages of the crop. Five sorghum varieties along with local check collected from study area were evaluated in randomized complete block design in 2019 main cropping season. Farmers' evaluation was made at two different stages of the crop, namely at flowering and maturity using both direct-matrix and pair-wise ranking methods of selection scheme. Farmers' set; grain yield, disease resistance, grain color and seed size as selection criteria to evaluate and identify their preferred varieties. The results of analysis of variance indicated the existence of highly significant differences among varieties for all traits measured except plant height at 5% probability level. The highest mean grain yield was obtained from the variety Dibaba (11325 Kgha-1) and Jiru (10200 Kgha-1) respectively. Grain yield had positive and highly significantly correlated with thousand seed weight (0.95**) and also positively and significantly correlated with days to 50% flowering (0.85*). Likewise, based on the overall farmer's preference (from both pair-wise and direct matrix ranking evaluations), Dibaba and Jiru were ranked first and second and followed by Adelle, ETS2752 and Chiro respectively. Thus, the varieties Dibaba and Jiru were chosen for their performance in the field and from farmers' evaluation perspective. Moreover, this study indicated participatory varietal selection is a viable method to gain greater insight into farmers' perceptions, preferences, merits and shortcomings of sorghum varieties. Therefore, based on the results of this study, Dibaba and Jiru are recommended for multiplication and distribution to farmers through both formal and informal seed systems. Generally, the integration of plant breeders and farmer's perception used to increase the adoption rate and design a good breeding program for future improvement.
jornal of horticulture, 2022
Cassava production is popular in Africa due to its low water requirement, which is recently adapt... more Cassava production is popular in Africa due to its low water requirement, which is recently adapted in Afar region that characterized by low availability of moisture. Demonstration was not done to familiarize the crop with agro pastorals in the area. Therefore, the experiment was carried out at WARC, Bedulale and Kedigadora kebeles in 2014 cropping season using two released cassava varieties namely Qulle and kelo planted on double observational plots that arranged as RCBD with two replications at each location. Practical training on product development and end product test were accomplished for selected agro pastorals of Amibara districts through promotional workshop. Storage root yield results of the experiment showed that there was highly significant difference (P<0.01) between the two cassava varieties as, Variety Kello gave significantly higher average storage root diameter (2.25 cm) and average root length (16.65 cm), average root number (43.36%), unmarketable root yield (24.67%), marketable root number (71.03%), total root number (43.09%) and total root yield (18.43%) than variety Qulle. Combined analysis of variance for each location also showed the same result. Varieties were non-significant at the specified level of significance for total root yield at Werer agricultural research center and Kadigadora but they were found to be significant at Wedulale. Similarly, the varieties were non-significant at the specified level of significance for average root diameter and number, unmarketable and total root number at WARC and Wedulale but, they were found to be significant at Kadigadora. Agro pastorals were provided and consumed eight different kinds of cassava based meals namely: 1) Cassava bread, 2) Cassava chechebsa, 3) Cassava cookies, 4) Cassava cheeps and biscuits, 5) Wet from Cassava leaves, 6) Cassava enjera 7) Boiled cassava root, 8) Cassava potage. After testing food, discussion with Agro pastorals about the crop, its production and food test was done. They became interested to grow cassava and happy with the demonstration and call it "Me'e" meaning best in Afar language. Thus it, cassava production and utilization are suggested to be increased all over the tested locations and areas with similar agro ecologies in the region.
advances in crop science and technology, 2022
Storage root and tuber crop like sweet potatoes are the most important crops that need to be cult... more Storage root and tuber crop like sweet potatoes are the most important crops that need to be cultivated for food security in countries like Ethiopia where population is growing fast, because of the highest potential yield per unit area. However, crop productions especially sweet potato were newly introduced to the irrigated areas of Afar region. Therefore, the experiment was conducted at Bonta kebeles in 2017 cropping season using RCBD with three replications to evaluate and demonstrate five released sweet potato varieties. Results of the experiment indicated that, high significant differences among varieties were observed for all yield and yield parameters: MSRN and MSRY, TSRN and USRY and ABMY. Generally, Me'e was out yielded in MSRY (27.60 t ha-1) but Dubo was the lowest performing variety (16.51 t ha-1) though, it was high yielder in ABMY (16.23 t ha-1). Agronomic parameters were also high significantly differences among varieties. Accordingly, Dubo was significant produced the highest ID (0.58 mm), but Me'e (0.46 mm) was the least. The highest and lowest IL was recorded over Me'e (3.68 mm) and Dubo (3.27 mm), respectively. The result of the correlation analysis revealed that the marketable storage root yield was highly significant and positively correlated with different parameters: TSRN (r=0.89 **), TSRY (r=0.95 **), ASRY (r=0.89 **), IL (r=0.92 **) and DPM (r=0.66 **). In contrast, negative and significant correlation was also detected between MSRY and other parameters: USRN (r=-0.89 **), UMSRY (r=-0.72 **) and ABMY (r=-0.89 **). Generally, Me'e was out yielded and selected by agro pastorals by marketable storage root number, marketable storage root yield, total storage root number, total storage root yield, high in sweetness, least in days to physiological maturity and cooking time. Therefore, rapid multiplication and delivery of planting material of selected varieties should be needed to sustain the adoption of sweet potato by agro pastorals.
ijgbio, 2022
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2024
Ethiopia's varied agro-ecological zones which support onion cultivation, contributing significant... more Ethiopia's varied agro-ecological zones which support onion cultivation,
contributing significantly to the economy. However, challenges persist within Ethiopia's seed supply system, particularly in regions like the Gelealo District, Afar, where agro-pastoral livelihoods predominate. To address these challenges, a community-based onion seed production activity was initiated, employing a comprehensive approach during the 2023/24 cropping season using Nafis variety. The activity involved the formation of PAPREGs, baseline assessments, capacity-building, onion seed production implementation, hands-on field day events for knowledge dissemination. The collected data were analyzed using SAS statistical
software. Despite prevalent onion cultivation, experience in seed production was limited (93.33%), highlighting the need for skill enhancement via theoretical and practical training. Through practical sessions, about 40 participants gained insights into seed acquisition patterns and production techniques, stimulating discussions on community-based seed production to optimize agricultural outcomes. Statistical analysis comparing kebele groups within PAPREGs demonstrated significant differences in yield and yield-related traits, suggesting varying productivity potentials. The independent sample t-test of yield and yield related traits were showed advantage of Beidi over Debel PAPREGs. Accordingly, Beidi PAPREGs have an advantage of 200, 69.57, 36.68 and 51.37 percent over Debel for SYPP, NUPP, UD, and LMS, respectively. The activity attracted diverse stakeholders, and a cost-
benefit analysis indicated substantial net profits, affirming the economic viability of onion seed production. In this case, the CBR of 4.976 reflects a favorable return, demonstrating that onion seed production is economically viable and yields substantial profits relative to the initial investment. Insights from PAPREGs emphasized their commitment to the project and underscored the importance of continued support from research centers. Lessons drawn highlighted the efficacy of utilizing underground water for irrigation, stakeholder integration, rapid learning
capacities, and the value of local information dissemination systems. Future focuses include enhancing pest and animal controlling, and continuous training. In conclusion, the PAPREGs activity has laid a robust foundation for onion seed production enhancement, with recommendations poised to bolster onion productivity, economic stability, and resilience in the study area, emphasizing the vital of community engagement and innovation.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced adoption of... more Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced adoption of suitable improved varieties in order to address the needs of a broader range of users and to enhance farmer skills in variety selection and seed production efforts. It plays significant role in collaboration between breeders, farmers, marketers, processors, consumers, and policy makers. It also allows farmers to take part in the development of new varieties more suitable to marginal environments and to organic farming agronomic practices. Several different improved sorghum varieties are released at different international and national research institutions in different times, however the technologies were not properly addressed the farmers based on participatory, client oriented and demand driven. Therefore, the experiment was conducted in Eastern part of Ethiopia of Oromia regional state to evaluate the performance of improved sorghum varieties and to identify farmers&amp;#39; preference traits through continuous performance evaluation at different stages of the crop. Five sorghum varieties along with local check collected from study area were evaluated in randomized complete block design in 2019 main cropping season. Farmers&amp;#39; evaluation was made at two different stages of the crop, namely at flowering and maturity using both direct-matrix and pair-wise ranking methods of selection scheme. Farmers&amp;#39; set; grain yield, disease resistance, grain color and seed size as selection criteria to evaluate and identify their preferred varieties. The results of analysis of variance indicated the existence of highly significant differences among varieties for all traits measured except plant height at 5% probability level. The highest mean grain yield was obtained from the variety Dibaba (11325 Kgha-1) and Jiru (10200 Kgha-1) respectively. Grain yield had positive and highly significantly correlated with thousand seed weight (0.95**) and also positively and significantly correlated with days to 50% flowering (0.85*). Likewise, based on the overall farmer&amp;#39;s preference (from both pair-wise and direct matrix ranking evaluations), Dibaba and Jiru were ranked first and second and followed by Adelle, ETS2752 and Chiro respectively. Thus, the varieties Dibaba and Jiru were chosen for their performance in the field and from farmers&amp;#39; evaluation perspective. Moreover, this study indicated participatory varietal selection is a viable method to gain greater insight into farmers&amp;#39; perceptions, preferences, merits and shortcomings of sorghum varieties. Therefore, based on the results of this study, Dibaba and Jiru are recommended for multiplication and distribution to farmers through both formal and informal seed systems. Generally, the integration of plant breeders and farmer&amp;#39;s perception used to increase the adoption rate and design a good breeding program for future improvement.
jornal of horticulture, 2022
Cassava production is popular in Africa due to its low water requirement, which is recently adapt... more Cassava production is popular in Africa due to its low water requirement, which is recently adapted in Afar region that characterized by low availability of moisture. Demonstration was not done to familiarize the crop with agro pastorals in the area. Therefore, the experiment was carried out at WARC, Bedulale and Kedigadora kebeles in 2014 cropping season using two released cassava varieties namely Qulle and kelo planted on double observational plots that arranged as RCBD with two replications at each location. Practical training on product development and end product test were accomplished for selected agro pastorals of Amibara districts through promotional workshop. Storage root yield results of the experiment showed that there was highly significant difference (P<0.01) between the two cassava varieties as, Variety Kello gave significantly higher average storage root diameter (2.25 cm) and average root length (16.65 cm), average root number (43.36%), unmarketable root yield (24.67%), marketable root number (71.03%), total root number (43.09%) and total root yield (18.43%) than variety Qulle. Combined analysis of variance for each location also showed the same result. Varieties were non-significant at the specified level of significance for total root yield at Werer agricultural research center and Kadigadora but they were found to be significant at Wedulale. Similarly, the varieties were non-significant at the specified level of significance for average root diameter and number, unmarketable and total root number at WARC and Wedulale but, they were found to be significant at Kadigadora. Agro pastorals were provided and consumed eight different kinds of cassava based meals namely: 1) Cassava bread, 2) Cassava chechebsa, 3) Cassava cookies, 4) Cassava cheeps and biscuits, 5) Wet from Cassava leaves, 6) Cassava enjera 7) Boiled cassava root, 8) Cassava potage. After testing food, discussion with Agro pastorals about the crop, its production and food test was done. They became interested to grow cassava and happy with the demonstration and call it "Me'e" meaning best in Afar language. Thus it, cassava production and utilization are suggested to be increased all over the tested locations and areas with similar agro ecologies in the region.
advances in crop science and technology, 2022
Storage root and tuber crop like sweet potatoes are the most important crops that need to be cult... more Storage root and tuber crop like sweet potatoes are the most important crops that need to be cultivated for food security in countries like Ethiopia where population is growing fast, because of the highest potential yield per unit area. However, crop productions especially sweet potato were newly introduced to the irrigated areas of Afar region. Therefore, the experiment was conducted at Bonta kebeles in 2017 cropping season using RCBD with three replications to evaluate and demonstrate five released sweet potato varieties. Results of the experiment indicated that, high significant differences among varieties were observed for all yield and yield parameters: MSRN and MSRY, TSRN and USRY and ABMY. Generally, Me'e was out yielded in MSRY (27.60 t ha-1) but Dubo was the lowest performing variety (16.51 t ha-1) though, it was high yielder in ABMY (16.23 t ha-1). Agronomic parameters were also high significantly differences among varieties. Accordingly, Dubo was significant produced the highest ID (0.58 mm), but Me'e (0.46 mm) was the least. The highest and lowest IL was recorded over Me'e (3.68 mm) and Dubo (3.27 mm), respectively. The result of the correlation analysis revealed that the marketable storage root yield was highly significant and positively correlated with different parameters: TSRN (r=0.89 **), TSRY (r=0.95 **), ASRY (r=0.89 **), IL (r=0.92 **) and DPM (r=0.66 **). In contrast, negative and significant correlation was also detected between MSRY and other parameters: USRN (r=-0.89 **), UMSRY (r=-0.72 **) and ABMY (r=-0.89 **). Generally, Me'e was out yielded and selected by agro pastorals by marketable storage root number, marketable storage root yield, total storage root number, total storage root yield, high in sweetness, least in days to physiological maturity and cooking time. Therefore, rapid multiplication and delivery of planting material of selected varieties should be needed to sustain the adoption of sweet potato by agro pastorals.
ijgbio, 2022
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees... more The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest and best-known cultivated fruit trees. The fruit is composed of very nutritive minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, and magnesium. The tree can withstand relatively harsh climate and soil conditions, which no other crop can match. In Ethiopia, date palm is cultivated and/or wildly grown in the Afar, Dire Dawa, Somali, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions. However, the yields of local cultivars are too low to meet the sharply increasing demand. Thus, research has been conducted to evaluate and register the best-performing, desirable yield and quality of introduced improved varieties. Fourteen (14) tissue-cultured introduced materials from England and Israel were planted at 10m x 10m spacing between rows and plants over three locations, viz., Werer Agricultural Research Center (WARC), Assiyta, and Afambo districts. Two varieties (Barhee and Medjool), early fruiting types, were individually evaluated out of 12 varieties on the basis of fruit yield for two years at WARC, while vegetative parameters were taken from the other locations. The study revealed that Barhee and Medjool were superior to the remaining date palm varieties. The annual yield advantage of Barhee (68.39 kg tree-1) over Medjool (50.87 kg tree-1) was 34.44%. The high offshoot production potential of Barhee and Medjool varieties could reduce the purchase of imported tissue-cultured date palms by the country as well as individuals. In conclusion, the newly released varieties Barhee and Medjool could be cultivated profitably and sustainably for commercial cultivation in the low land areas of the Afar regional state and other similar agro-ecology, and could also increase the income of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.