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 a sustainable agricultural innovation that combines host plant resistance with targeted, low-dose herbicide application to manage Orobanche crenata while reducing reliance on intensive chemical control. The technology strengthens the resilience of smallholder farming systems by restoring the productivity of infested land, increasing food and income security, and reducing production risks. Developed through collaboration between international and national research institutions, the approach also promotes inclusive agricultural development by improving access to quality seed, supporting women farmers, and reducing the Orobanche seed bank over time through integrated management practices such as crop rotation and manual weed removal. This makes it a scalable solution for sustainable intensification and climate-resilient pulse production.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•9

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

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.

Problem

Increased vulnerability of smallholder livelihoods: Orobanche-induced crop failures expose farmers to income losses, food shortages, and unstable agricultural livelihoods.
Reduced resilience of farming systems: Dependence on susceptible varieties and ineffective weed management practices increases vulnerability to biological production shocks.
Degradation of sustainable cropping systems: Declining faba bean cultivation reduces the role of legumes in improving soil fertility and maintaining balanced crop rotations.
Long-term persistence of parasitic weed pressure: Orobanche seeds can survive in soils for 10–20 years, creating a continuous production challenge across generations.
Limited access to improved agricultural technologies: Farmers in affected areas often lack access to quality seed, appropriate management practices, and reliable technical information.
Gender-related impacts on household food security: Reduced faba bean production affects access to nutritious food crops, which can disproportionately affect women’s roles in household nutrition management.
Loss of crop diversity: Severe Orobanche pressure contributes to reduced cultivation of local faba bean varieties and declining diversity within farming systems.
Weak connection between agricultural research and farmer practices: Limited transfer of research-based solutions to farming communities slows progress in managing major production constraints.
Reduced sustainability of pulse production systems: Persistent biological constraints undermine efforts to promote resilient, productive, and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems.

Solution

Improved resilience of smallholder farming systems: Reduces crop failure risks associated with Orobanche infestation, helping farmers maintain stable production and livelihoods through Sustainable management of parasitic weeds.
Restoration of abandoned faba bean production areas: Enables farmers to recover the productivity of Orobanche-affected land and strengthen sustainable agricultural systems.
Enhanced household food security and nutrition: Increases production of a nutrient-rich pulse crop, supporting improved diets and food availability among rural households.
Support for inclusive agricultural development: Improves access to improved seed and production technologies for smallholder farmers, including women farmers who often play key roles in household food production and nutrition decisions.
Strengthened research-to-farmer pathways: Demonstrates an effective collaboration model between international research organizations, national institutions, extension systems, and farming communities.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer: Improves farmer and extension-agent understanding of integrated Orobanche management through participatory learning approaches, demonstrations, and training activities.

Key points to design your program

Integrated Orobanche Management (IOM) is suitable for agricultural development programs focused on smallholder resilience, pulse productivity, food security, and sustainable crop production in Orobanche-affected areas. It is particularly relevant for programs using participatory approaches such as Farmer Research Extension Groups (FREGs) and initiatives supporting climate-resilient and sustainable intensification of farming systems.

The technology addresses major challenges affecting faba bean production, including severe yield losses caused by Orobanche crenata, declining pulse production, persistent soil infestation, and reduced household food security. By restoring faba bean productivity, IOM helps reclaim affected farmland, strengthen farmer livelihoods, and secure a key source of affordable protein for rural communities.

IOM contributes directly to several Sustainable Development Goals. It supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) by improving smallholder productivity, income, and resilience; SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by increasing the availability of nutritious faba bean; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between international research organizations, national institutions, extension services, and farming communities.

The technology supports inclusive agricultural development by improving access to improved seed and crop management practices, particularly benefiting women farmers who value faba bean for household nutrition and income generation. Its relatively low implementation cost (approximately 750 ETB/ha) makes it suitable for resource-constrained farmers and vulnerable communities seeking practical solutions to production risks.

Implementation should be led by regional and district agricultural offices in collaboration with research institutions such as ARARI, EIAR, and ICARDA, extension services, and farmer organizations. Key activities include access to Hashenge seed, promotion of the integrated management package, farmer and extension training, demonstration activities, and establishment of sustainable seed and input delivery systems.

Program budgets should consider the cost of inputs, training, extension support, and monitoring. Key performance indicators should include increases in faba bean yield, reduction in Orobanche infestation, economic returns per hectare, number of farmers and extension agents trained (disaggregated by gender), and adoption levels.

For long-term sustainability, scaling should be supported through strengthened seed systems, institutional integration into regional extension packages, and continued demand from farmers and markets. By increasing reliable faba bean production and reducing biological constraints, IOM provides a scalable pathway to strengthen pulse value chains, improve livelihoods, and enhance agricultural resilience.

IP

Open source / open access

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

Positive impacts: 12

Problem

Solution

Key points to design your program

IP

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 9 out of 9

Level of use 9 out of 9

Positive impact 12

Unintended impact 12

Barriers 12

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Goal 2: zero hunger

Downloads

Technology from

Commodities

Sustainable Development Goals Details ›

Category

Subcategory

Value chain step

Tested/adopted in Details ›

Where it can be used Details ›

Target groups

TAAT

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

Inclusion assessment 12 12 12

Positive impacts: 12

Climate impact 7

Problem

Solution

Key points to design your program

IP

Scaling readiness

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 9 out of 9

Level of use 9 out of 9

Inclusion assessment

Positive impact 12

Unintended impact 12

Barriers 12

Tested/adopted in

Where it can be used

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Goal 2: zero hunger

How to use

Downloads

Downloads

Technology from

Commodities

Sustainable Development Goals Details ›

Category

Subcategory

Value chain step

Tested/adopted in Details ›

Where it can be used Details ›

Target groups