Scientists Develop New Varieties and Strategies to Protect Ethiopia’s Faba Bean from Gall Disease
For smallholder farmer Desta Woldearegay in Ethiopia, the arrival of gall disease nearly a decade ago devastated her faba bean crops, wiping out harvests her family relied on for food and income.
Now, hope is on the horizon as scientists, supported by an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project, implement solutions to combat the disease.
“I am optimistic about the future and eager to resume cultivating faba beans to boost my yields,” Woldearegay said.
Tackling Gall Disease’s Spread
Faba bean, Ethiopia’s most vital pulse crop, is being shielded from gall disease through groundbreaking research by scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA). They identified the disease’s cause and are introducing management strategies to limit its impact.
The project, which focuses on Ethiopia’s Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, recently presented findings highlighting factors contributing to the spread of gall disease. These include high altitudes, poor soil drainage, dense weed populations, and improper planting schedules.
Resistant Varieties Offer Hope
Developing disease-resistant faba bean varieties is a cornerstone of the project. UWA Professor Martin Barbetti, the project leader, along with Research Fellow Dr. Mingpei You, pinpointed the pathogen behind the disease, Physoderma viciae, and created a rapid PCR test for its identification.
“This breakthrough, combined with Ethiopian scientists’ work on epidemiology and chemical controls, has laid a strong foundation for effective management strategies,” said Professor Barbetti.
The team is now integrating these traits into faba bean lines to provide farmers with long-term, sustainable solutions.
Ensuring Sustainable Faba Bean Farming
According to ACIAR Acting Program Manager Dr. Richard Brettell, the project has established critical groundwork for the sustainability of Ethiopia’s faba bean farming.
“Collaboration between Ethiopian and Australian scientists remains crucial for overcoming challenges and scaling solutions to enhance food security,” Dr. Brettell noted.
The initiative has also strengthened local research capacity by supporting PhD students and training 26 Ethiopian scientists in disease management and crop improvement.
As the project moves into its final phase, the focus will shift to scaling up the adoption of disease-resistant faba bean varieties and expanding sustainable farming practices across Ethiopia.
This combined effort marks a significant step forward in securing the future of Ethiopia’s faba bean industry and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers.