Published in PLOS One on 2026-07-07, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Ademe Mihiretu, Melaku Asresu, Kindye Ayen
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0353275
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Adoption of improved crop technologies is widely recognized as essential for enhancing agricultural productivity, yet their validation under real farming conditions remains limited. The scaling trial was aimed to provide an interesting agronomic challenge through introducing a new technology that contradicts the established local field production practice. The trial was conducted over four consecutive production years (2019–2022) involving 109 (22 female) purposively selected farmers who managed a collective 32.5 ha of farmland. The farmers were strategically selected to promote the dissemination of new technologies, create demand, strengthen stakeholder linkages, and establish a sustainable technology multiplication system in the area. The comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using proper statistical methods. The results demonstrated that the improved field pea technology was provided a 71.1% yield advantage compared to the existing local practices. With continuous expert support, 75% of farmers applied the full technology package, although 62.5% perceived it as labor-intensive, particularly during planting and thinning stages. Despite this, 95.9% of participants expressed a strong interest in cultivating the new technology in the future. Farmer-to-farmer diffusion was evident, with 1520 kg of improved seed distributed by 75% of involved farmers and stakeholders to non-participant but interested farmers. The farmers and stakeholders who attended different field days were also impressed and committed to adopting the new technology, recognizing its potential adaptation to moisture-deficient areas. These findings hence confirm the agronomic and social viability of the new technology. Therefore, it is recommended that scaling up and out of this improved field pea technology in similar areas be facilitated by the establishment of viable seed-multiplying cooperatives and strengthened stakeholder linkages.
Introduction
Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is one of the pulse crops grown in many countries and is considered the most important grain legume crop grown worldwide. Field pea serves as both human food and animal feed and is also regarded as a significant vegetable crop due to its high nutritional value and versatility [1,2]. It is grown in many countries and currently ranks fourth among the pulses in the world with a cultivated area of 6.33 million [3]. It is a cool-season pulse crop that adapts to a wide range of soil types from light sandy loam to heavy clay soils; however, it is sensitive to saline and waterlogged soil conditions which can adversely affect its growth and productivity [4,5].
In Ethiopia, field pea is an important crop for farmers’ livelihoods in the highlands; it provides food and feed, and a useful and cheap source of protein. It has a significant role in restoring soil fertility through rotation crops due to its notable nitrogen-fixation capacity, decreasing the need for fertilizer for low-income farmers [1,6–8]. It is widely grown from mid to high altitudes where annual rainfall ranges from 400 to 1000 mm. It ranks fourth in area coverage, reaching 220,194.82 ha with an annual production of 380,335.89 tons in Ethiopia [9–11]. On average 25147.7 ha of land has been allocated for field peas with a total average production of 21406 tons and an average yield of 1.73 tons ha-1, which puts Ethiopia on the list of major field pea-producing countries in the world [9].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider research & evidence desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Ademe Mihiretu, Melaku Asresu, Kindye Ayen. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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