Different types of crops are produced in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia where specific biophysical conditions define the success of their production. This banana-based smallholder farming systems explorative study objective was to explore existing banana-based farming system dynamics and examine push-pull factors accelerating these dynamics. To achieve the objectives of study, three Kebeles of Arba Minch Zuria district were selected purposively. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using qualitative data analysis method. The results show that cropping systems of the study area have been changed a lot during the last years; going from seasonal crops farming to perennial fruit crops-based farming. An early farming practice of the study area was cultivating seasonal crops like maize, teff, sweet potato, and cotton. Later on farmers have shifted to perennial cash crops like banana and mango. Most farmers in the study area use cow dung, crop residues, poultry droppings, and house cleans to improve soil fertility of their banana field. During establishment of banana farmland, farmers inter-crop vegetable and cereal crops to maximize their farm income. When banana develop three to four suckers per hill and full canopy, farmers make their banana farm monoculture. Access to irrigation water, minimum input requirement Abayneh Feyso ABOUT THE AUTHORS Abayneh Feyso is MSc. holder in Agribusiness and Value Chain management. He has designed and conducted value chain and market analysis research on Cotton, Sorghum, Potato and Sericulture. Also he conducted food security, farming system dynamic and circular economy researches. He has an interest of designing value chain management studies along circular economy.

Tomato is one of the important vegetables grown all over the world for its nutritious and economic value. Varietal improvement for high yielding, pest resistance and tolerance, drought tolerance and processing quality traits are vital thereby to enhance production and productivity of the crop. Due to lack of improved varieties in the study area, local productivity of tomato is challenged and its production is very limited. Hence, identification of improved tomato varieties that are adaptable, high yielding and disease resistant is crucial before dissemination to boost its productivity in the study area. Therefore, this experiment was conducted at Arba Minch to evaluate ten improved tomato varieties for yield and yield components under irrigation condition using randomized complete block design replicated three times. ANOVA result indicated that there is a significant variation among tested varieties in all studied parameters. The mean total yield and number of fruits plant-1 of tomato varieties varied from 4991.1 to 11,215 kg ha-1 and 13.33 to 36.53 fruits plant-1, respectively. ‘Melkashola’ scored the highest marketable yield (9,438 kg ha-1) and total yield (11,216 kg ha-1) being followed by ‘Bishola’ (8,756 kg ha-1) and ‘Melkasalsa’ (8,367 kg ha-1). On the other hand, ‘Melkasalsa’ and ‘Miya’ with moderately high yield might also be regarded as other potential varieties. Therefore, the first three varieties are recommended for cultivation in the study area and similar agro-ecology. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 79-83, June 2022

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the adaptability of newly released papaya varieties at Chano Mille research site of Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center during 2019-2020 cropping seasons. The three hermaphrodite papaya varieties namely; Braz-HS1, Koka-HM1 and Meki-HL1 were used for the study and laid-out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. Data on yield and yield components were collected and analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) through Statistical Analytics System software. The ANOVA results revealed that there were significant variations among papaya varieties for the studied parameters. Significantly, the highest number of fruits plant-1, number of leaves and fruit yield were obtained from Braz-HS1 papaya variety. The fruit yield of Braz-HS1 variety was 46% higher than that of Koka-HM1. In general, Braz-HS1 papaya variety performed (in terms of number of fruits and fruit yield) better than the rest two varieties. Thus, Braz-HS1 papaya variety could be recommended for the papaya growers in the study area and vicinity with similar agro-ecology. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 69-71, Dec 2021

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Six orange fleshed sweet potato varieties were tested in Gamo zone of southern region, Ethiopia in 2019 and 2020 to evaluate their total root yield potential and demonstrate best performing varieties. The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among genotypes on growth, root yield and its components. The maximum number of marketable roots per plot was recorded on variety RW11-4743 (59.13) followed by Kyoyab werere and Kulufo (57.00 and 53.63 ton ha-1), respectively. While, minimum number of roots per plot was recorded on variety Mayai. The highest root yield per hectare was obtained from varieties Kyoyab werere (53.23 ton ha-1) and RW11-4743 (52.64 ton ha-1) followed by Kulufo (48.42 ton ha-1) whereas the minimum root yield per hectare was obtained from variety Carrot-C (37.84 ton ha-1). Based on the result of this study from evaluated orange fleshed sweet potato varieties Kyoyab werere, RW11-4743 and Kulufo gave the highest yield but, except Kulufo, these varieties were not registered in the country (Ethiopia). Therefore, it needs further evaluation of Kyoyab werere and RW11-4743 including other genotypes at different locations for verification and registration and Kulufo was recommended for pre extension demonstration at the study area and similar agro ecological locations.