ABSTRACT

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian national economy, accounting for over 40" of the national gross domestic product. A host of factors account for low agricultural productivity, the availability and use of improved agricultural technologies constitute the major limitation to date. In view of this, the government of Ethiopia, in an attempt to increase agricultural productivity and improve food security at both national and household levels. Food barley is the major crop in the high altitude areas in the watershed. Three farmer's research and extension groups (FREGs) with sixty members, representing the upstream and downstream of the watershed, were organized. They participated in the variety selection process and hosted the demon-stration and popularization activities. Simple descriptive statistics and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) partial budget and sensitivity analysis were used to carry out cost-benefit analysis. All farm operations and agronomic practices are carried out by farmers as per recommendations with close assistance from development agents and researchers.