Potential-Interventions in Smallholder
Irrigated Horticultural Crops Production
Value Chain Development
Edossa Etissa
(Horticulture, Irrigation Agronomy and Plant Nutrition Melkassa
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research)
LIVES Commodity Value Chain Development Inception Workshop
Addis Ababa, 21–24 January 2013

1.Introduction
In sub-Saharan Africa more than 95% of farmed land is
rainfed
The majorities of the population make their living from
rainfed agriculture, and depend to a large extent on
small-holder, subsistence agriculture for their livelihood
security
Climate variability plays an important role in
determining productivity of much of the world’s rain-fed
grown annual food crops in the tropics

1.Introduction……
In areas where rainfall is erratic, has high temporal and
spatial variations or where short dry periods can be
expected in the wet season, as it frequently occurs in
the Rift Valley area of Ethiopia, relying on rainfed
agriculture poses substantial risks to farmers

1.Introduction……
Table. Rainfall probability of exceedance (PE) using normal
distribution method at Melkassa Kiremit (rainy season) season
(1977-2011) (RAINBOW Program)
Return period Probability of exceedence Rain fall
years (PE) [%] events (mm)
10 10 929.18
5 20 860.69
3.33 30 813.46
2.50 40 774.52
2 50 739.33
1.67 60 705.22
Average
1.43 70 669.85
1.25 80 629.95
1.11 90 577.28
Torrential rain, exceeds 50 mm, many 30-40 mm --- Adama flood

1.Introduction……
The optimum transplanting date for rainfed vegetable production
forecasted by INSTAT+ around Melkassa was found to be on 177
DOY.
Using this reference transplanting date, evaluation of rainfed
vegetable production using CropWat model simulation during the
start of rainy and crop planting season (July) results indicated that
most vegetable crops were severely stressed when transplanted
on 3rd of July

1.Introduction…
Table. Dekadal summary of ETc required as part of supplementary irrigation at
various growth stages and yield reductions for rainfed vegetable crops
(transplanted on 3rd July) at Melkassa estimated by CropWat
Growth stages and Irr. Req. (mm) Total Irr. Req. Yield
Crops (mm/dek.) reductions
Initial Development Mid Late
(%)
Tomato 0.0 0.0 98.2 97.0 195.2 23.3
Onion (bulb) 0.0 0.0 424.5 216.1 640.6 60.2
Pepper 0.0 8.6 338.9 147.8 495.3 54.2
(green)
Cabbage 0.0 51.8 231.7 122.7 406.2 40.5
Green bean 0.0 0.0 21.7 17.5 39.2 5.3
Water melon 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.7 16.7 0.8

1.Introduction..
Figure . Trend line of yield-water relation ship (water production function)
of tomato Melkashola variety grown from January to April (2012) dry and
hot season at Melkassa
90000
80000
Total fresh fruit yield (kg ha -1)
70000 y = 28.95x - 2811.
R² = 0.918
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Irrigation depth (m3 ha-1)

1.Introduction..
Growers should be told that there is high yield reduction under rainfed
condition (vegetable crops, even other cereal crops)
Rainfall did not feed Ethiopian population in most areas…
(small size-major export beans problem)
Use of either supplementary/ full irrigation improved the livelihood of
irrigation users through improved crop production and productivity
Availability of markets and consumers demand for horticultural crops
drove up the expansion of irrigated agriculture systems in Ethiopia.
Tomato and onion are among the most irrigated vegetable crops of
significant economic value in the country but the full potential has not
been exploited
Large areas are coming under irrigation every season and year-round
production of irrigated crops has become very common.

2. Potentials and opportunities in irrigated
horticultural crops production
2.1. Irrigated crops (many crops, food, cash, fiber, and
other crops)
Vegetable crops
Onion
Many varieties developed
bulb production
seed production

Small holder onion seed production

2. Potentials…
Tomato (for various purposes)
Fresh varieties
Multipurpose varieties
Hybrid varieties (Private Companies)

2. Potentials…
Tomato (for various purposes)
Fresh varieties
Multipurpose varieties
Hybrid varieties (Private Companies)

Drip irrigated tomato (Melkassa)
2. Potentials…
Shallot
Other vegetables
Cabbage, Carrot, Swiss chard, Radish, Snap
beans, Egg
plant, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, etc…
Imported by Seed Companies

2. Potentials…
Shallot
Other vegetables
Cabbage, Carrot, Swiss chard, Radish, Snap
beans, Egg
plant, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, etc…
Imported by Seed Companies

2. Potentials…
Shallot
Other vegetables
Cabbage, Carrot, Swiss chard, Radish, Snap
beans, Egg
plant, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, etc…
Imported by Seed Companies

2. Potentials…
Capsicum pepper
Varieties developed
Hot pepper
Colouring
Oleoresin
Chilies

Drip irrigated hot pepper
Many varieties are available

2. Potentials….
2.2. Fruits crops production
Availability many improved varieties
Apple and other highland fruits

2. Potentials….
Avocado (cultivated from highland to lowland)
grow would everywhere in Ethiopia
highland –mid altitude area (small size)
two harvest per year

Four years orchard
HASS, best export avocado, Melkassa

2. Potentials …
Bananas (Grand Naine, Williams-1, Robusta,
Poyo, Giant and Dwarf Cavendish, etc)
Export varieties (mid to low land area)
One and half year banana (Melkassa)
(reach maturity in a year in hotter areas

2. Potentials …
Mango (four varieties)
(mid to low land)

Five years
orchard
Through high density plantation with appropriate
orchard and irrigation water management ,
all fruits would be export commodities with in less
than 5 years

2. Potentials…
Papaya (for various purposes)
Solo papaya
Small, medium and large fruit sizes
Dioecious papaya
Small, medium and large fruit sizes
(many varieties are under verification)

2. Potentials…
Date palm (very dry areas of Afar, Somali, etc…)
Varieties are available
Multiplication using tissue culture -underway

2. Potentials…
Planting material multiplication capacities
Banana tissue culture
EIAR (Melkassa)-(Amhara Oromia)
Private companies (Two)
Pineapple Tissue Culture (EIAR,
Jimma)

2. Potentials…
Millions of seedlings can be multiplied, it is possible to
develop many-many-many banana development
corridors like Arba Minch even not region, but in each
zones-----we have best export varieties,
If proper value chain is developed, export of Ethiopian
Banana can be started with in less than four years…..
Many visit Melkassa / telephone call from in
country/ abroad requesting information on
quantity

2. Potentials…
Fruit, vegetable and fruit
seedling marketing
Millions

3. Major Challenges in Irrigated Horticultural
Crops Production Value Chain
Rainfed/ irrigated crops production depends
on supply of good quality of seeds as seed
quality is very important in horticultural crops
production since it is the initial key inputs in
household irrigated farm business, all other
following remaining farm activities are
depends on.
“New Chapter”: Development of proper crop
management & inputs ----that can be used by
growers, by growers --------not variety

3. Major Challenges…
The highest percentage, 35.48% of tomato growers
replied that the most seed sources for their tomato
cultivations are from open market,
while 29.03% of tomato growers use as seed sources
from another farmer.
These tomato growers replied that the seeds they
use are very low quality.
…… we continued developing varieties --- without
making those released/ best ones available for
growers

3. Major Challenges…
Over 45% of onion growers obtain their onion
seeds from open market;
followed by 22.68% who obtain onion seeds
from another farmer.

3. Major Challenges…
Among the major problems onion growers are
facing are about 25.31% growers replied that
the seeds they use are not true type and
19.14% has explained that the onion seeds
used are not true type and are poor in
germination, the bulb were non-
uniform, variable bulb colors with white color
rather than red and, variable in shapes and
due to high out crossed seed and other
adulterations.

3. Major Challenges…
3.2. Fruits
Fruit production depend on quality planting materials
Seedling propagation and multiplication
No supply of selected scion variety with
appropriate root stock variety
Fruit growers do not get grafted and quality
materials, they plant seedling materials -- with full of
problems

3. Major Challenges…
No planting material (seedling) quality control
Some private…. sell uncertified, diseased infected
seedlings
No certification at all
Pest introduction …. from one area to another

2. Potentials…
Private Nursery

3. Major Challenges…
3.1.2. Availability of chemical inputs
Fertilizers import is scheduled for rainfed (June)
Not available for irrigated agriculture
(adulterated)
Pesticides-
Target pesticide some times not available
Chemical spray not scientific based
(up to more than 8 times spray)

3. Major Challenges…
3.1.3. Availability of specific production packages for
specific crops and seasons
Year round vegetable planting (difficult to
formulate agronomic and irrigation package)
(all production packages should be season
specific)

3. Major Challenges…
2.3. Absence of defined crop agronomic management practices -
--for each main crops –for each major production area
Many pieces of practices…….
spacing + fertilizer rate + … + ….+…. row planting=
Verified---validated---demonstrated
Growers go/ went back to their traditional practices
all adopt improved variety, but not agronomic (why ?)
As result –do we see improvement of crop productivity over years
(not much)

3. Major Challenges…
2.4. Absence of harvest, post harvest management
and standards horticultural crops (NO)
Is there extension in these area of intervention?
2.5. Packing and transport system
Papaya in a sack = like wheat/ teff
banana in ISUZU-----60-70 quintals (6-7 tons)
All fruits ----------- similar way

3. Major Challenges…
3.1. Poor skill in horticultural crops production
Irrigated horticultural crops- require special skill
3.1. Poor skill in irrigation water related managements
supplementary/ full
Irrigated crops production requires
(special irrigation skill)
(Is there extension that cope up with the requirement ?)

3. Major Challenges…
Rainfed vegetable –requires supplementary irrigation
Farmers field
(End of August)
Mid of
September
(false maturity)

3. Major Challenges…
Rainfed –early rainfall cessation
Tomato grown with rainfall only
Research field
Yield reduction occur for many crops in the Central
Rift Valley area such as Teff, maize, beans, & others
Under size of export bean/ serious problem
No one estimates yield reduction due to early
rainfall cessation for any crops

3. Major Challenges…
Supplementary irrigation is required during dry spells
for many rainfed crops (Central Rift Valley area),
Full irrigation is required after cessation of rainfall
(short season as compared to crop growth periods)
otherwise high yield reduction occur every year
Seasonal crops (vegetable) irrigation requirement is
not yet supported with knowledge
All irrigation users (growers) use their own experience

3. Major Challenges…
Many –many irrigation related publications are
available , (thesis works), but not synthesised in to
useable forms for growers
Irrigated cash crops -four types of producers
(small holder, share cropper, tenant
producers, large scale producers)
Irrigation development agent ….(no skill),
Irrigation management is beyond the capacity of
development workers

3. Major Challenges…
Irrigated crops growers in the country practice arbitrary
production techniques from season to season and from
location to location, from crop to crop.
In addition, pesticide and fertilizer application as well as
irrigation water management practices are under
farmers’ traditional intuition

3. Major Challenges…
Absence of efficient marketing system
Killing vegetable/ horticulture development
Daily farm gate price is fixed by traders (Piyasa)
Brokers-brokers-, with full of cheating the producers
No planned production, … season to season, district to
district (no one is giving pieces of advice)
long lived problem
Is it possible to transform small holder into entrepreneurs?

3. Major Challenges…
Many GO, NGOs, and others are involved in irrigated
horticulture development, -- in development of
irrigation schemes
They do not work together along the value chain,
Many of them do not go beyond simple variety
demonstration
Less continuity and improvement of practices along
the value chain
–generic problems

4. Conclusion
Multi-stakeholder/ actors are required for the development of
irrigated horticultural crops
As experience from IPMS, LIVES project will contribute for the
development of irrigated fruits & vegetable in Ethiopian
agriculture.
We bring changes if all stakeholder work together, through
integration with commitments along the value chain
Proper inputs + practices ------- marketing, that bring
growers satisfactions,
consumers satisfactions
Is it possible to transform small holder into entrepreneurs ----Yes

Thanks