Abdulfeta Tariku, Aseged Walelign Maize, varieties, selection, participatory plant breeding, farmers’ preferences 29-33 5 (1) 2021 January, 2021 The research activity was carried out with the objective of evaluating and selection of adaptable improved highland maize varieties and to assess farmers selection criteria with maize production techniques. It was executed at Chiro and Gemechis District of Western Harerghea Zone in main cropping season of 2019. A multidisciplinary team composed of breeder, pathologist, agronomist and agricultural extensionist was closely working both with the farmers and respective woreda agricultural experts and DAs. Regular visits, trainings and field days were conducted to provide for interaction among researchers, extension workers and farmers. The variety selection process was carried out from different dimensions including utilization, marketing and field performance. The major selection criteria of the farmers in the trial sites were almost similar except in very few cases where they vary in level of emphasis to a particular criterion. In general, trial farmers preferred and showed special interest to Huluka and Jibat varieties using the following important traits such as early maturity period ,good biomass production, large cobe and seed size, grain color, disease and pest tolerance/resistance, market demand and better yield performance. Accordingly, as the preference of the farmers in each sites have already been identified, it will be productive if the extension service and the maize breeding program consider farmers’ preferences in varietal promotion activity. As a result, these two genotypes are recommended for production in the tested areas and similar agro ecological Zone of West Harerghea at larger scale to enhance adoption and diffusion for increasing production and productivity of the varieties.