Pre-Extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Enset Processing Technologies in Selected Districts of West Shewa and Southwest Shewa Zones, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The pre-extension demonstration of the engine driven enset (Enset ventricosum) processing machine was conducted in 2021 in the West Shewa and South-West Shewa zones of Oromia with the objectives of demonstrating and evaluating engine-driven enset processing machines under farmers’ conditions and creating awareness of the availability and importance of the technologies. Toke Kutaye and Dirre Incinni woredas from West Shewa and Waliso from Southwest Shewa zonal administrations of Oromia Regional State were purposively selected based on enset production potential covering a total of five kebeles (Afinjo Dega, Omi Anni, Maaruuf, Obi Koji and Xombe Anchebi. Fifteen farmers from each kebele were also selected purposively based on their enset production experience. One host farmer was selected based on their willingness. Training and demonstrations were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the selected districts to create awareness and understanding among other farmers, Development agents and experts on the operation, management, and advantage of the enset processing machines. Accordingly, training was given to 60 farmers (45 females), 6 development agents, and 11 agricultural extension experts. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions and observation. The collected data were grouped, summarized, discussed, and interpreted. The results revealed that five enset can be decorticated in 1.08 hr. at 790- 880 rpm using an engine-driven decorticator, which would otherwise needs 8 hrs. for 3-4 women to traditionally decorticate 5 enset. A corm of 5 medium enset was grated in 10 min at 2200 rpm using an engine operated corm grating machine, a process that could traditionally needed 8 hrs. for 3-4 women. The traditional practices are inefficient; requiring a lot of labor and time and also it is one of the major problems which leads to physical damage. Therefore, the technology is highly preferred and thus should be widely available and recommended for further pre-scaling up.