International Conference on Integrated Systems

1. The Potential for IntegratingThe Potential for IntegratingThe Potential for IntegratingThe Potential for Integrating Vegetables into Staple CropVegetables into Staple CropVegetables into Staple CropVegetables into Staple Crop
ProductionProductionProductionProduction Systems inSystems inSystems inSystems in the Humidthe Humidthe Humidthe Humid Tropics ofTropics ofTropics ofTropics of EthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopiaEthiopia
Bezabih Emana1, Victor Afari-Sefa2, Amsalu Ayana1, Fekadu F. Dinssa2, Tesfaye Balemi1 and Milkessa Temesgen1
In Ethiopia, vegetables are important for income generation, nutrition, health, sustainability of smallholder
farms, and attract foreign direct investment (Adish, 2012; Ayana et al., 2014). Commercial production of
vegetables has been increasing recently due to the expansion of state farms and private investment in the
sector (EHDA, 2012). Commercial vegetable production for domestic and export markets is concentrated in the
Rift Valley of Ethiopia, where irrigation facilities and agro-processing industries are available. Enabling legal and
policy frameworks have further boosted investment in the sub-sector. Ethiopia, with its diverse agro-ecology,
has untapped potential to grow tropical, subtropical and temperate vegetables for export to the Middle East
and European markets (EHDA, 2011; Aklilu, 2000).
While most vegetables are grown in pure stands on commercial farms, they are cultivated either in pure stands,
as relay crops, or intercropped with field crops under smallholder farming systems (Ayana et al., 2014). Despite
favorable agro-ecological conditions for growing different types of vegetables and policy incentives and support
for vegetables in Ethiopia, the value chain is constrained by limited access to improved seeds, high postharvest
losses, lack of reliable market information and support systems, low producer price bargaining power of farmers
at the farm gate, and overall weak capacity of value chain actors, supporters and enablers to create a well
coordinated and functioning value chain system.
A. INTRODUCTIONA. INTRODUCTIONA. INTRODUCTIONA. INTRODUCTION
Country (Consignment) Quantity (t)
CIF value
(‘000 USD)
% of quantity % of value
Belgium 0.08 70.75 0.06 2.1
France 3.60 64.68 2.81 1.9
Germany 3.84 74.03 3.00 2.2
India 2.58 24.24 2.02 0.7
Israel 1.16 690.87 0.91 20.5
Italy 11.94 216.31 9.34 6.4
Kenya 0.01 14.44 0.01 0.4
Netherlands 103.6 2,169.94 81.01 64.4
Niger 0.07 13.52 0.05 0.4
Spain 1.02 29.45 0.80 0.9
Thailand 0 0.01 - 0.0
Total 127.89 3,368.24 100.00 100.0
Table 1. Quantity and value of vegetable seed imported from country of consignment in 2012
BBBB.... OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
• Characterize vegetable production and marketing systems
• Evaluate potential for integrating vegetables into staple-crop
production systems
Secondary data analysis and field observations indicate that, to a large extent,
vegetable seed demand in Ethiopia is met through commercial seed imports mainly
by private seed importers and parastatal enterprises such as ETFruit and AISCO (Table
1). Depending on availability of land and crop suitability for intercropping, some
vegetables are grown either in pure stands or intercropped with other vegetables or
staple crops over two seasons in a year: in the wet season (meher season, June-
August) using rainfall with supplemental irrigation or under full irrigation during the
dry season, usually from September-May. Vegetables such as tomato, beetroot, Swiss
chard, lettuce, carrot, cabbage, onion, garlic, kale, sweet potato and hot pepper are
dominantly grown as sole crops; Ethiopian mustard and pumpkin are mostly
intercropped with maize and other annual or perennial crops during the rainy season,
and with Irish potato, especially in homesteads. Productivity was found to depend on
the season and the vegetable type (Table 2). For example, onion, garlic, hot pepper,
beetroot and carrot registered higher yields under irrigation compared to rain-fed
production, while, under a similar farming system, tomato, Swiss chard and lettuce
registered lower yields under irrigation compared to rain-fed production.
D. RESULTS ANDD. RESULTS ANDD. RESULTS ANDD. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONSDISCUSSIONSDISCUSSIONSDISCUSSIONS
Type of vegetable District averages Average of sample (kebeles*)
Rainfed Irrigated
Tomato 14.3 12.5 19.2
Cabbage 13.5 13.8 21.6
Kale 20.9 19.8 21.8
Onion 10.4 13.3 17.4
Garlic 4.9 7.1 3.9
Hot pepper 1.8 11.3 11.6
Sweet pepper 7.8 -
Beet root 11.0 13.8 15.0
Swiss-chard 19.0 16.5
Lettuce 19.0 15.0
Carrot 9.8 13.2 14.7
Ethiopian mustard 8.3* -
Pumpkin 0.6 -
Sweet potato 7.1 12.2 17.0
Potato 12.3 13.4 -
Leek 6.7 6.3 -
* kebele is the smallest government administrative unit in Ethiopia
Table 2: Yield of vegetables under irrigated and rainfed production systems (t/ha)
C. MATERIALS AND METHODSC. MATERIALS AND METHODSC. MATERIALS AND METHODSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in four major vegetable producing zones in the humid
tropics of Ethiopia: West Shewa in Oromia National Regional State; and Gurage,
Hadiya and Yem (special district) zones in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and
Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS). Data were collected using participatory primary
survey techniques augmented with secondary data. Study sites were selected
through consultations with zonal and district vegetable experts of the Bureau of
Agriculture. Field surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions
were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from sub-sector value chain
actors and stakeholders.
E.E.E.E. CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS
• Despite constraints, there is great potential to integrate vegetables into existing
staple-crop production systems due to their short production cycles, higher yield
and relatively higher per unit farm gate prices.
• Demand is growing: 65% of all major vegetables produced in the study area
during the 2012 production year were sold on the market.
• Preference for specific vegetable types and varieties is location-specific;
smallholders’ decision to produce, consume and market vegetables is often
triggered by income generation, consumption/nutritional, social and medicinal
values.
• Marketing functions undertaken by producers, retailers and wholesalers provide
employment, income, and links to other sectors of the economy.
• Increasing public awareness about the use of different vegetable species,
building capacity within the research for development continuum, and
development of well-coordinated and integrated value chains via functional
public-private partnerships will enhance the development of the sub-sector
while providing intensification and diversification options within Ethiopia’s
staple-based smallholder farming systems.
2AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC)
Eastern and Southern Africa
P. O. Box 10 Duluti, Arusha, TANZANIA
Corresponding author: E-mail: victor.afari-sefa@worldveg.org; Tel: +255-27-255-3093
REFERENCES
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Womdim, R., and Mndiga, H. (eds), AVRDC Africa Regional Program 2000. Varietal evaluation and seed production of vegetable crops held at AVRDC Africa Regional
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the Humid Tropics of Ethiopia. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 4(4): 325-337
EHDA, Ethiopian Horticulture DevelopmentAgency (2012). Ethiopian Horticulture Sector Statistical Bulletin. Issue 01, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
1 HEDBEZ Business & Consultancy PLC
P. O. Box 15805
Addis Ababa
ETHIOPIA