Poster for the ‘Market-Oriented Smallholder Development: IPMS Experience-Sharing Workshop,’ Addis Ababa, 2-3 June 2011

1. Onion seed production and marketing in Fogera district
Background Interventions Results
• Production of onion seeds increased from 0.6qt. in 2005 to 205 qt. in 2011 and
the number of farmers involved increased from 3 to 145 (see table)
• Commercially‐oriented vegetable production • The profitability of onion seed production in 2009 and 2010 was Birr 83,636 &
in Fogera started along the two rivers (Rib 147,669/ha respectively (see table)
• The demand for FOSP seed is increasing outside the District i.e Tigray Region
and Gumara) in 1997 and 1999, using gravity Cooperatives, Etfruit, Shewa Robit and neighbouring districts
and pumps. To expand the area further, • A reliable input supply system encouraged more onion bulb production in the
district‐ from less than 1000 ha of onion before seed production interventions
motorized and pedal pumps, supplied by the Study tours to Zeway for farmers to get
knowledge on onion seed production to 4,900.
District Office of Agriculture, were promoted Cost benefit analysis on seed
Seed production trend
to lift water from rivers and hand‐dug wells production
Table:1 Onion seed production trends and income No Item Years
• Most irrigated crops in the Districts are from 2005‐2011 Fogera Woreda 2009 2010
No of Area 1 Costs
grown after the rainy season, when the floods participan coverage in Production Income
1.1. Costs of land 8,000 8,000
Year ts (Ha) in (Q/l) (Birr)
1.2. Seed costs 20,506 26,600
have receded 2005 3 0.12 0.6
1.3. Fertilizer costs 2,448 3,182
150,00
1.4. Pesticide costs 240 360
2006 3 0.75 6 0
• In 2005, when IPMS introduced the value 1,050,0
1.5. Watering (fuel) costs 1,262 1,893
2007 27 12.35 70 00 1.6. Annual depreciation costs 907 907
chain approach in Fogera, about 1,135 459,00 1.7. Estimated labour costs 9,752 13,653
Training of staff and farmers on 2009 16 6.5 27 0
hectares of land were under irrigated 702,00 Subtotal 43,114 54,595
agronomic practices and post harvest 2009 17 6.75 39 0 2 Revenue (Birr)
vegetables (shallot, onion, garlic and tomato) Collective action by seed producers to handling of onion seed by Adet ARC & 3,400,0 2.1. Total production (kg) 650 524
2010 89 16.88 88 00 2.2. Average price (Birr/Kg) 195 386
production utilize planting materials (bulbs) from OoA 6,560,0 Subtotal 126,750 202,264
Zeway and Afar 2011 145 33.78 205 00 3 Return to labour (Birr) 93,388
12,321, 4 Estimated labour costs 9,752 13,653
• Vegetable seeds (including onion) were Total 77.13 435.6 000 5 Profit per hectare 83,636 147,669
obtained through efforts of individuals, the
OoA (50‐60 kg of seeds annually free of Lessons and challenges
charge) and an irrigation cooperative i.e. 6‐7
• Prices of seeds fluctuated over the years, as a result of fluctuating market
qt annually, supplied on credit demand. Therefore, farmers should be made aware of the risks and collective
Field supervision by regional plant action for marketing should be explored
• The results of the 2005 participatory rural
laboratory experts and input supply • For sales outside the District, certification by the government regulatory
appraisal identified that the onion seed Laboratory testing of planting department is essential and needs to be further strengthened
department personnel to certify quality
materials at the regional plant • Onion seed production is dominated by business oriented farmers, who have
supply system was not able to meet potential seed.
laboratory their own financial sources. To encourage smallholder farmers to enter into
demand ‐ poor seed quality, high prices, this business, credit should be made available to purchase bulbs
insufficient quantity and unavailability. It • So far, attempts in Fogera to grow bulbs out of season to produce planting
Establishment of a materials for seed production have not been successful. Further attempts are
was also noted that 2 innovative farmers had market brand name being made since this could considerably reduce the cost of production for
called “FOSP” seed producers (planting material cost up to Bir 30,000/ha)
initiated onion seed production in 2004 for
• Farmers are attempting to carry out their own action research to solve
their own use. current and immediate problems (planting material owning via staggered
production)
• Poor farmers used first year share cropping as a mechanism to own means of
Establishing onion seed producers platform
production (water pump, financial resource) for the coming production year
Marketing and promotion through and facilitate regular meetings, experience
• Financial institutions should provide credit services to poor farmers.
participation in fairs, exhibitions and sharing workshops and field days
linkages outside the District.
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