Potential-interventions in smallholder irrigated horticultural crops production value chain...

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 WorkshopAddis 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

years

Probability of exceedence

(PE) [%]

Rain fall

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

1.43 70 669.85

1.25 80 629.95

1.11 90 577.28

Average

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

CropsGrowth stages and Irr. Req. (mm) Total Irr. Req.

(mm/dek.)

Yield

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

(green)

0.0 8.6 338.9 147.8 495.3 54.2

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

1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 30000

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

f(x) = 28.9574339566765 x − 2811.16146857564R² = 0.918606695105666

Irrigation depth (m3 ha-1)

Tot

al fr

esh

frui

t yie

ld (k

g 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 OnionMany 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…

Shallot

Other vegetables

Cabbage, Carrot, Swiss chard, Radish, Snap beans, Egg plant, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, etc…

Imported by Seed 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…

Capsicum pepperVarieties developed

Hot pepper Colouring

Oleoresin

Chilies

Many varieties are available

Drip irrigated hot pepper

2. Potentials….

2.2. Fruits crops productionAvailability 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

HASS, best export avocado, Melkassa

Four years orchard

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)

Through high density plantation with appropriate orchard and irrigation water management ,

all fruits would be export commodities with in less than 5 years

Five years orchard

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 cultureEIAR (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…

Millions

Fruit, vegetable and fruit seedling marketing

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.


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.


3.2. 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


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


3.1.2. 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)


3.1.3. 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)


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/ teffbanana in ISUZU-----60-70 quintals (6-7 tons)

All fruits ----------- similar way


3.1. Poor skill in horticultural crops production Irrigated horticultural crops- require special skill

3.1. Poor skill in irrigation water related managementssupplementary/ 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


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


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


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 problemIs 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. ConclusionMulti-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

Potential-interventions in smallholder irrigated horticultural crops production value chain...

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