Quantifying Yield Potential and Yield Gaps of Faba Bean in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the major faba bean growing countries in the world but with a low average national yield (≤ 2 t ha-1) compared to yield levels in other countries. The objective of this study was to determine potential yield (Yp), water-limited potential yield (Yw) and yield gaps (Yg) of faba bean across the faba bean growing regions of Ethiopia. Potential yields were obtained from simulation of crop growth using the CROPGRO-faba bean model, which was calibrated and evaluated using field experiment data while faba bean actual yields were obtained from a secondary source. Results show that both Yp and Yw and respective yield gaps were very high across the major faba bean growing zones in Ethiopia. Farmers are currently getting less than 40% of the water limited yield penitential of faba bean in all major growing areas. Findings of this study show that areas located in the high rainfall areas constitute the highest faba bean yield gap. It is also found that the level of yield gap could vary depending on the type of crop varieties used in the estimation of potential yields. The results indicated the possibility of increasing faba bean yield by 100 - 300% to achieve attainable yields through the application of precision agronomy and appropriate and timely crop protection measures.