Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) is a staple food crop predominantly cultivated in dry areas where other crops can survive least and food insecurity is widespread. During 2013 main rainy season, a field experiment was conducted at Kobo; a drought prone area in Ethiopia. The study was aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of three stay green (Sorcoll-141, Sorcoll-146 and Sorcoll-163) and a farmer preferred variety as a local check. In addition to quantitative measurements; greenness, early maturity, biomass production, grain yield, culinary and cultural preferences such as ‘injera’ (Ethiopian flat bread) and malt quality, and secondary uses of the studied varieties were also weighed up by farmers. Plant height and green leaf number were significantly higher in Sorcoll-141/07 as compared to others and these might be responsible for its higher biomass production. Sorcoll-146/07 showed the shortest days to 50% flowering and time to maturity. It was also found to be resistant to pest attack and bird damage. These were confirmed by farmers during their field evaluation. Sorcoll-163/07 showed higher grain yield (3150 ± 276.1 kg ha-1). Moreover, farmers’ evaluation results revealed that Sorcoll-163/07 had the highest stay green material, ‘injera’ quality and market price. Overall, the stay green varieties outperformed the local check in at least one agronomic trait.