Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) breeding, achievements, challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia; incase Southwestern Ethiopia: Review

Abstract

Ethiopia is believed to be the center of origin and diversity of tef. The crop is highly evolved and diversified within the country and can grow in a variety of agro-ecological conditions, including marginal areas where other crops are more difficult to cultivate. Its nutritional and gluten-free value make tef very suitable as an ingredient for the increasing demand in healthy bakery, cereal and snack products. Southwestern part was major tef producing areas of Ethiopia but the productivity was very low. Productivity of tef in the region were highly influenced by diseases, soil acidity, poor soil fertility, lodging, labor intensive nature of crop husbandry and weak extension system. In addition, the small size of tef seed poses problems during sowing, weeding and threshing. In future to increase the productivity, the research must focus on solving especially disease and acidity problem by conducting adaptation trial of recently released varieties or by developing variety/ies/ was/were tolerant or resistant to challenges.