Integrated Orobanche Management on Faba bean: Resistant Faba Bean and Low-Dose Herbicide Package

Restoring faba bean productivity by defeating Orobanche.

Integrated Orobanche Management (IOM) is an integrated crop management technology that combines the Hashenge faba bean variety, which is partially resistant to Orobanche crenata, with carefully timed applications of low-dose Glyphosate herbicide. This complementary approach effectively suppresses the parasitic weed, substantially increases grain yields, and improves farm profitability. The technology creates business opportunities for seed producers, agro-input suppliers, and agricultural service providers by increasing demand for improved faba bean seed and appropriate herbicide products, while enabling farmers to produce higher-quality grain for domestic and export markets.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Declining faba bean market supply: Severe Orobanche crenata infestation reduces faba bean production, limiting the availability of grain for domestic markets, processing industries, and export opportunities.
Low profitability of faba bean production: High yield losses caused by parasitic weed infestation reduce farmer income and make faba bean production less attractive for commercial actors.
High production risks in pulse value chains: Unpredictable crop losses discourage investment in faba bean seed production, aggregation, processing, and marketing activities.
Limited adoption of improved agricultural inputs: Lack of effective solutions against Orobanche reduces demand for improved faba bean varieties, quality seed, and crop protection products.
Reduced competitiveness of Ethiopian faba bean exports: Declining production volumes affect Ethiopia’s capacity to meet international market demand and generate export revenue.
Limited business opportunities in affected production areas: Orobanche-infested regions become less attractive for private-sector engagement due to unstable production and unreliable supply chains.

Solution

Reliable solution for faba bean production: Provides an effective crop protection package against parasitic weeds (Orobanche), combining the Hashenge partially resistant faba bean variety with low-dose Glyphosate application and one hand weeding to reduce Orobanche crenata damage and restore production in affected areas.
Improved productivity and market supply: Increases faba bean yields by recovering production potential in infested fields, enabling more consistent supply of grain for home consumption, local and export markets. Also provide animal feed through increased straw production.
Profitable agricultural value chain opportunity: Improves farm-level profitability by increasing returns from faba bean production, making seed multiplication, input supply, aggregation, and commercialization more attractive for private-sector actors.
Reduced production risk for investors and growers: Provides a validated solution to a major biological production constraint, improving confidence for investment in faba bean production and related value chains

Key points to design your business plan

Integrated Orobanche Management (IOM) is an integrated production package designed to control Orobanche crenata, a parasitic weed causing severe yield losses in faba bean production. The technology combines the use of the Hashenge partially resistant faba bean variety with targeted low-dose Glyphosate applications and complementary practices such as hand weeding and crop rotation to reduce long-term Orobanche pressure.

For private-sector actors, IOM addresses a major market constraint affecting the faba bean value chain. Severe Orobanche infestation can cause up to 100% yield loss, reducing grain supply, farmer profitability, and investment opportunities in seed production, input supply, aggregation, and processing. By restoring production in affected areas, the technology creates opportunities for businesses involved in quality seed multiplication, agro-input distribution, and pulse commercialization.

The technology has demonstrated strong economic potential, providing a 218.5% yield advantage compared with conventional practices. Demonstration trials recorded net benefits of approximately 144,625 ETB/ha, compared with 46,027.5 ETB/ha under traditional practices, with a marginal rate of return of 193.5. The estimated implementation cost is approximately 750 ETB/ha, mainly covering Glyphosate and labour costs.

Private-sector engagement opportunities include producing and distributing certified Hashenge seed, supplying appropriate Glyphosate formulations, providing advisory services, and developing stronger faba bean supply chains in Orobanche-affected regions. The technology was developed through collaboration between ARARI, EIAR, and ICARDA, providing a research-validated solution ready for commercialization and scaling through public–private partnerships.

Positive impacts: 12

Social Group	Positive Impacts
Women smallholder faba bean farmers	• Improved access to resistant faba bean varieties and integrated crop management practices. • Increased household food and nutrition security through higher availability of a protein-rich crop. • Greater participation in crop production decisions and potential income generation from improved yields.
Resource-poor smallholder farmers in Orobanche-affected areas	• Recovery of previously low-performing or abandoned faba bean fields affected by Orobanche infestation. • Increased productivity and farm income through reduced crop losses and improved yields. • Reduced production risks and improved resilience of farming households.
Youth engaged in agricultural value chains	• Creation of business opportunities in seed multiplication, agro-input supply, and agricultural services. • Increased opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in pulse value chains. • Development of technical skills related to improved seed systems and integrated crop management.
Farmers’ organizations and cooperatives in pulse-producing communities	• Increased collective production capacity and marketable surplus of faba bean. • Improved opportunities for aggregation, commercialization, and market linkages. • Stronger collaboration with research institutions, extension services, and input suppliers.

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Unintended impacts: 12
Mitigations: 12

Barriers: 12
Mitigations: 12

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Helps farmers maintain faba bean production under increasing climate stress, as drought conditions can increase Orobanche pressure and threaten crop productivity.

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

Strengthens resilience by providing farmers with an integrated management package, but adoption requires access to improved seed, inputs, and technical support.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Supports crop diversity by maintaining faba bean cultivation and promoting crop rotations, but responsible herbicide use is needed to minimize impacts on non-target organisms.

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Improves soil nitrogen availability through legume-based rotations, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers; however, herbicide production and application contribute some emissions.

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Promotes sustainable Orobanche management through integrated practices and reduced chemical doses but requires proper Glyphosate handling to avoid environmental contamination.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Maintains faba bean in crop rotations, improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and reducing soil degradation in affected areas.

Water use: A bit less water used

Does not directly reduce water requirements, but improved crop productivity and resilience help farmers obtain better returns from available water resources, especially under drought conditions.

Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology\’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology\’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.

Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.

The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 9 out of 9

Uncontrolled environment: validated

Level of use 9 out of 9

Common use by intended users, in the real world

Maturity of the idea										Level of use
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Positive impact 12

Social Group	Positive Impacts
Women smallholder faba bean farmers	• Improved access to resistant faba bean varieties and integrated crop management practices. • Increased household food and nutrition security through higher availability of a protein-rich crop. • Greater participation in crop production decisions and potential income generation from improved yields.
Resource-poor smallholder farmers in Orobanche-affected areas	• Recovery of previously low-performing or abandoned faba bean fields affected by Orobanche infestation. • Increased productivity and farm income through reduced crop losses and improved yields. • Reduced production risks and improved resilience of farming households.
Youth engaged in agricultural value chains	• Creation of business opportunities in seed multiplication, agro-input supply, and agricultural services. • Increased opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in pulse value chains. • Development of technical skills related to improved seed systems and integrated crop management.
Farmers’ organizations and cooperatives in pulse-producing communities	• Increased collective production capacity and marketable surplus of faba bean. • Improved opportunities for aggregation, commercialization, and market linkages. • Stronger collaboration with research institutions, extension services, and input suppliers.

Unintended impact 12

Social Group	Potential Unintended Impacts	Mitigation Measures
Women smallholder faba bean farmers	Increased labour burden due to additional management practices • Hand weeding and integrated management require additional labour inputs. • Women may carry additional farm responsibilities without additional support. • Limited access to labour-saving tools may reduce benefits.	• Promote labour-sharing mechanisms through farmer groups. • Ensure women farmers are included in training and extension support. • Encourage access to appropriate tools and community labour arrangements.
Resource-poor smallholder farmers in Orobanche-affected areas	Dependence on external inputs and services • Farmers may become dependent on continuous access to resistant seed and herbicides. • Input price increases could affect affordability. • Poor access to credit may limit adoption.	• Strengthen local seed multiplication and input supply systems. • Promote farmer organizations for collective input purchasing. • Facilitate access to financial services and agricultural support programs.
Youth engaged in agricultural value chains	Unequal access to emerging business opportunities • Youth may lack capital to enter seed or input businesses. • Limited technical knowledge may restrict participation. • Benefits may be concentrated among established businesses.	• Provide entrepreneurship training and technical capacity building. • Facilitate youth access to financing and business support programs. • Include youth-focused components in scaling initiatives.
Farmers’ organizations and cooperatives	Potential exclusion of smaller or less-connected farmers • Better-organized farmers may capture more benefits. • Vulnerable households may have limited participation. • Unequal access to markets may create disparities.	• Establish inclusive membership and participation mechanisms. • Prioritize vulnerable farmers in technology dissemination. • Strengthen transparent benefit-sharing and market arrangements.

Barriers 12

Social Group	Adoption Barriers	Mitigation Measures
Women smallholder faba bean farmers	Limited access to resources and information • Women may have less access to improved seed, inputs, and extension services. • Training opportunities may not always reach women farmers. • Limited decision-making power may affect technology uptake.	• Organize women-focused training and demonstration activities. • Ensure women’s inclusion in farmer groups and extension programs. • Promote household-level awareness of women’s role in technology adoption.
Resource-poor smallholder farmers in Orobanche-affected areas	High initial adoption constraints • Limited ability to purchase seed and herbicides. • Lack of knowledge on correct application methods. • Risk aversion due to previous production failures.	• Provide demonstration plots showing economic benefits. • Support access to inputs through cooperatives and extension systems. • Provide training on integrated management practices and safe herbicide use.
Youth engaged in agricultural value chains	Limited investment capacity and technical experience • Lack of startup capital for seed or input businesses. • Limited knowledge of agricultural markets. • Difficulty accessing institutional support.	• Link youth with agribusiness development programs. • Provide technical and business management training. • Facilitate partnerships with seed companies and input suppliers.
Farmers’ organizations and cooperatives	Weak organizational capacity and market linkages • Limited capacity for collective input procurement and marketing. • Weak coordination with research and extension systems. • Limited storage and commercialization infrastructure.	• Strengthen cooperative management and business skills. • Build partnerships with research institutions and private-sector actors. • Support market access, aggregation, and value chain development.

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–		–	–
Subhumid	–	–	–	–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Increases faba bean productivity and profitability, helping smallholder farmers recover income from Orobanche-affected fields and improve livelihood resilience.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Promotes efficient production through integrated pest management, combining resistant varieties, targeted herbicide use, and cultural practices.

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Demonstrates successful collaboration among ICARDA, EIAR, ARARI, extension services, and farmers for technology development and scaling.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Restores production of faba bean, an important source of affordable protein, improving household food security and dietary quality.

Establish the crop: Plant the Hashenge faba bean variety, which is partially resistant to Orobanche crenata, using the recommended agronomic practices. Sow at a seed rate of 150 kg/ha with 40 cm row spacing and 20 cm between plants, preferably during the recommended planting period. Apply 121 kg/ha of NPS fertilizer at planting to promote healthy crop establishment.
Apply Glyphosate at the correct stage: Apply Glyphosate at a sublethal rate of 0.30 L/ha (300 ml/ha) diluted in 300 L of water/ha. Make two foliar applications: the first at the early flowering stage of the faba bean crop and the second 15 days later. Correct timing is essential to suppress Orobanche without damaging the crop.
Follow safe application practices: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, protective clothing, boots, and eye protection. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for handling and application, avoid contaminating water sources, and wash all equipment and protective gear thoroughly after spraying.
Integrate complementary management practices: Combine chemical control with cultural practices for long-term management. Regularly inspect fields and remove any emerging Orobanche plants before they flower and set seed, then safely destroy them. Rotate faba bean with non-host crops such as cereals, fenugreek, or cowpea for 4–5 years to gradually reduce the Orobanche seed bank and improve the long-term effectiveness of the technology.

Downloads

Orobanche Weed Management Brochure-Ethiopia.pdf (PDF, 468.73 KB)
Orobanche -faba bean-Ethiopia.pdf (PDF, 400.79 KB)

Last updated on Jul 24, 2026

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Seid Ahmed Kemal

Technology from

PRMS

Commodities

Faba bean

Sustainable Development Goals Details ›

public.components.sdgs.motre

Subcategory

Weed resistance

Value chain step

Production

Tested/adopted in Details ›

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Where it can be used Details ›

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones.

Target groups

Breeders Farmers Seed companies Researcher center Advisory and Extension Services

Integrated Orobanche Management on Faba bean: Resistant Faba Bean and Low-Dose Herbicide Package

IP

Problem

Solution