ISSN: 2455-815X
International Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology
Research Article       Open Access      Peer-Reviewed

Promotion of improved onion technology through FRG System in Fadis and Babile districts of East Haraghe Zone

Abdulaziz Teha*

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author: Abdulaziz Teha, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Fedis Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 904, Harar, Ethiopia, E-mail: abdulaziztaha@gmail.com
DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000138
Received: 20 December, 2021 | Accepted: 06 January, 2022 | Published: 07 January, 2022
Keywords: Demonstration; Red Bombay; FRG

Cite this as

Teha A (2022) Promotion of improved onion technology through FRG System in Fadis and Babile districts of East Haraghe Zone. J Agric Sc Food Technol 8(1): 011-013. DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000138

Copyright

© 2022 Teha A. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Pre extension demonstration of onion varieties was conducted at Fadis and Babile districts of East Hararghe zone one kebele from one FRG established and 10 trial farmers. Both varieties were sown on 10*10 plot size of demonstration plots with full package technology. The training was given for farmers on onion agronomic practices to make full package technology. The bulb yield of the improved onion varieties (Red Bombay and local) were 22.86, 18.74ton/ha at Erer and 22.00, 17.92 ton/ha Ballina Arba Kebele respectively. The result showed that there was a significant difference between both varieties at <1% level. Red Bombay has a 22.37% yield advantage over local check.

Introduction

Onion ((Allium cepa L) is an important vegetable crop, which has been produced worldwide including of Ethiopia for its daily uses and economic benefits [1]. The onion is recognized as one of the most important vegetable crops cultivated throughout the world since its introduction to the world [2]. It has grown mainly as a food source and used as cousins and value addition for different dishes. The chemical flavonoids, anthocyanins, fructo-oligosaccharides and organosulphur compounds found in the onion is considered as medicinal and health benefits to fight different diseases including cancer, heart and diabetic diseases [2]. The average annual onion production in Ethiopia is about 230,745.2 tons with a productivity of about 9.5 t ha-1, which is very low compared to the potentials the country has (CSA) [3].

Despite its lower productivity, which brings below the world average, onion is becoming the source of livelihood for many peoples who have engaged in production and trading. The main reason for this lower productivity of the crop is most probably due to lack of improved onion, inappropriate agronomic practices and little-given attention to crop production [1].

However, the area under cultivation is increasing from time to time both under rain feed and irrigation conditions due to its economic profitability. Also, an inevitable yield and yield component improvement activities including plant nutrient management, crop water requirements and scheduling programs, plant population densities, and disease and insect pest control systems were identified [1].

The result of the Adaptation trial done by Fadis Agricultural Research Center showed that Melkam gave maximum bulb yield 294.64 qt/ha which means double of the standard check (132.58qt/ha) followed by Bombay Red 224.55qt/ha and Nasik Red 206.69qt/ha, respectively. Thus, Melkam showed good field performance and attractive bulb size and bulb color. However, Nasik has good quality. The objective of this study is to promote Red Bombay and local Onion technology with full package in Babile and fadis. This project aimed at alleviating the problems of low quality Onion obtained from informal seed sectors and ensures the benefits to be obtained from improved Onion varieties [4-7].

Specific objectives
  • To promote full packaged improved onion technology.
  • To increase the production of onion producer farmers in the study districts
  • To improve farmers’ knowledge and skill of onion producer farmers in the study districts.

Materials and methods

The description of the study of area

Fedis district has the altitude range is from 1200–1600m.a.s.l meters, with a prevalence of low lands. The area receives average annual rainfall of 400-804 mm. The mean monthly temperature of the area is 22.2oC and 32.5oC, respectively. The farm units are small family holdings with an average agricultural land area of less than one hectare. Agriculture is mainly rain-fed.

Babile is located on distance of 31 kms from Harar in the direction of county’s Eastern part. It is bordered by Gursum in Northern, Fedis in south, sumale region in eastern, Harari region and Fedis in western and Jarso in Northwest district. Erer ibada and Ibada Gemechu are located on distance of 33 km from Harari region and Erer Ibada located at 090 10’ 41.5’ north of latitude, 0420 15’ 27.3’ east of longitude and elevation 1274m a.s.l. The climatic condition of this area is almost dry land. It has bimodal nature of rainfall. The socio-economic character of the population in the study area depends on subsistence agriculture.

Site and farmers selection

The activity was conducted in the selected district of East Hararghe Zone for the consecutive two years of the cropping season. Fadis and Babile district were selected based on the potentiality of onion Production and accessibility for close monitoring. Erere Ibada from Babile and Ballina Arba from Fadis district were selected purposively in collaboration with experts and development agents of the Office of Agriculture and Natural resource.

From each kebeles, one FRG (Farmer Research Group) member considering gender and youth consisting of 15 farmers were established and Farmers Research Group (FRG) with the member of 15 (3 male trial farmers and 2 female trial farmers) and 10 farmers work with trial farmers. Member of FRG farmers were selected based on; their interest on technology, willingness to cost sharing like land provision, labor work and willingness innovative experience sharing for the members as well as non-members of target farmers.

Experimental design

One improved treatments Onion (Red Bombay and local) variety, replication-replicate across five trial farmers per PAs. One improved and one local variety were sown on 10 farmers. 10m*10m plot size used. Spacing 20cm between rows and 10cm between plants (10cm* 10cm) gives a higher yield. Fertilizer application rate 100 kg NPS and 150 kg Urea in split 30-45 days after planting is recommended and seed rate 4kg/ha.

Data collection

Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through personal field observation, individual interview by using checklist and datasheet. Quantitative data such as number of farmers who participated, yield performance, number of stakeholders who participated in training and field days were collected. Qualitative data such as farmers’ feedback and perception toward the new technology were also collected.

Data analysis

Quantitative data was summarized using simple descriptive statistics (Mean, Frequency and Percentage), independent samples t-test. While the qualitative data collected using group discussion and key informant interviews, field observation and oral histories was analyzed using narrative explanation tools and argument. Finally, data from different sources was triangulated to get reliable information.

Results and discussion

The promoted onion varieties bulb yield across the study site

The bulb yield of the improved Red Bombay and local were variety 22.86, 18.74, 22.00 and 17.92 ton/ha at Ballina Arba and Erer Kebele respectively Table 1.

Table 1: The Onion bulb yield across the across districts.
PA Varieties No Std. Deviation Mean (ton/ha) Maximum Minimum
Erer Red Bombay 5 .66 22.86 23.40 21.70
Local 5 .68 18.74 19.70 17.90
Ballina Arba Red Bombay 5 .44 22.00 22.60 21.50
Local 5 .63 17.92 18.70 17.10
Total 10 2.22 20.38 23.40 17.10
The average bulb yield of Red Bombay is higher than local at Ballina arba and Erer
Independent t-test

Tables 2,3.

Table 2: Sample t-test.
  Test for equal variances t-test for equality of means
F Sig. T df Sig.(2-tailed) Mean difference Std. Error Differences
Equal variances assumed .05 .81 12.53 18 .00 4.10 .32
  1. Statistically significant difference 1% probability level
Table 3: Yield Advantage.
Varieties Average yield ton/ha  Yielddifference ton/ha Yield advantage (%)
Red Bombay 22.43 4.1 22.37
Local 18.33
Economic analysis

Table 4.

Table 4: Financial analysis for Onion varieties across the districts.
Location Babile(Erer) Fedis (Ballina Arba)
Parameters Varieties Varieties
Red Bombay Local Red Bombay Local
Yield ton/ha(Y) 22.86 187.4 22.0 179.2
Price(P) per quintal 1500 1500 1500 1500
Total Revenue (TR)=TR=Y*P 342,900 281,100 330,000 268,800
Variable costs        
Seed cost 12,800 12,800 12,800 12,800
Fertilizer cost 1,418 1,418 1,418 1,418
Labor cost 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000
Fuel Cost 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Total Variable costs(TVC) 59,218 59,218 59,218 59,218
Fixed costs        
Cost of land 8000 8000 8000 8000
Total Fixed Costs (TFC) 8000 8000 8000 8000
Total Cost (TC) =TVC+TFC 67,218 67,218 67,218 67,218
Gross Margin (GM) = TR - TVC 283,682 221,882 270,782 209,582
Profit=GM-TFC 275,682 213,882 262,782 201,582
Knowledge test before and after the interventions

Score of 1 is given for correct answers and 0 for incorrect answers. As one can observe from Table 5.

Table 5: Percentage of Respondents for each knowledge Items.
No Test items  Respondents’ percentages
 Before After
Correct Incorrect Correct Incorrect
1 The Name of improved onion variety used 37 63 55.6 44.4
2 Ploughing frequency for onion 48.1 51.9 59.3 40.7
3 The recommended spacing of improved onion 44.4 55.6 48.1 51.9
4 Transplanting date of onion 40.7 59.3 51.9 48.1
5 The recommended seeding rate of improved onion 55.6 44.4 63 37
6 The Maturity date of onion 33.3 66.7 40.7 59.3
7 The symptom of disease that affect onion 51.9 48.1 51.9 48.1
8 The disease tolerant varieties 40.7 59.3 44.4 55.6
9 The chemical application frequency of onion 29.6 70.4 33.3 66.7
10 The chemical used for onion 25.9 74.1 37 63
11 Yield per hectare of improved onion 48.1 51.9 48.1 51.9
12 Market price of onion 37 63 40.7 59.3
13 Exact Source of improved onion seed 44.6 55.4 66.7 33.3
Source: from own computed data (2021)

The mean score for knowledge test before intervention and after intervention is 5.3 and 6.4 respectively. The result of paired-sample t-test indicates a significant difference between the mean score for knowledge test before intervention and after intervention at 1% significant level. This implies an improvement of farmers’ knowledge regarding the improved onion technologies due to technological intervention Table 6.

Table 6: Paired-sample t-test.
  Mean St.Dev t-value
Total score before 5.3 1.69 4.34
Total score After 6.4 2.11  
Significance difference at 1% level before and after the intervention of the technology
Source: Computed from own data (2021)
Farmers’ opinion/perception

The farmers’ criteria were early maturity, Yield, disease tolerance, leaf color, bulb size, bulb shape, bulb skin color and seed set Table 7.

Table 7: Ranks of the varieties.
Varieties Farmers rank Reasons
Red Bombay 1st Medium maturity, High Yield, diseases tolerance, Dark green leaf color, medium bulb size, flat Glob bulb shape, light red bulb skin color and seed set
Local 2nd Medium maturity, Low yield, low diseases tolerance, green leaf color, low bulb size, flat Glob bulb shape, red bulb skin color and seed set

Conclusion and recommendation

Generally, the bulb yield of Red Bombay and local variety were 22.86 and 18.74ton/ha at Erer, 22 and 17.92 ton/ha at Balina arba, respectively. The average yield performance of Bombay Red and local at both location was statistically significant difference at 1% across the location. The wider promotion of Red Bombay is recommended to reach more farmers and wider area. Based on its maturity, yield, diseases tolerance, Dark green leaf color, medium bulb size, flat Glob bulb shape, light red bulb skin color bombay red varieties was recommended for further scaling up.

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  3. CSA (2014) Area and production of major crops. agricultural sample survey. Central Statistical Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Link: https://bit.ly/3eXvQKE
  4. CSA (2008) Report on area, production of crops (private peasant holdings meher season). Agricultural sample survey 2007/2008.V.I. Addis Ababa. Link: https://stanford.io/3G3cG1R
  5. Harrun H, Nikus O, Mesfin T, Beshir B (2009) Participatory determination of plant density for optimum onion bulb yield production under irrigation. In Bedru Beshir et al (Eds.). Proceeding of FRG completed projects of collaborative project EIAR, ORARI and JICA on Strengthening technology development, verification, transfer and adoption through Farmers Research Group (FRG).
  6. MoARD (2009) Crop Variety Registration ISSUE No.12. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  7. Olani N, Mulugeta F (2010) Onion Seed Production Techniques. A Manual for Extension and seed Agents producers. FAO Crop Diversification and Marketing Development Project. Link: https://bit.ly/3eTFRIH
 

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