The study was conducted at Habro, Chiro and Tullo districts of West Hararghe zone in 2020/2021 cropping season with the objectives to evaluate the performance of Oat forage under farmer’s condition, to create awareness and linkage among different stake holders and to collect farmers’ feedback on its production and management. From each location; 4 farmers and 1FTC; totally 12 farmers & 3 FTCs were selected. Bareda oat variety was evaluated with Bate (standard check) on 5m*5m side by side simple plots. Training was given prior to activity implementation for 12 farmers, 5 DAs and 9 SMSs. On the other hand, 3 DAs, 6 SMS and 83 farmers were participated on mini field day organized at Gara kufa kebele. The data were collected through close supervision, checklist, data record sheet and field observation. The result of farmers’ preferences showed that, Bareda variety was selected by plant Height, plot cover, lodging tolerance, stand vigor, disease tolerance, early flowering, early maturity, Biomass and palatability. The result of grain yield was also revealed that, 30.19 qt/ha and 25.6 qt/ha mean yield was recorded from Bareda and Bate respectively with 17.79% yield advantage of Bareda over Bate under the same management. Based on the above yield, yield advantage and farmers’ preferences result, Bareda Oat variety was recommended for pre-scaling up program in West Hararghe zone and similar agro-ecologies to improve production and productivity of oat forage as well as solve the problem of feed shortage.

Keywords: Bareda, Bate, Oat, Grain yield & yield advantage