Constraints of Onion (Alluim cepa.Var.cepa L.) Yield Production and Food Preference to Shallot (Alluim cepa.Var.aggregatum) in the Case of Bibugn Woreda, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted with the main objective of assessing the constraints of onion bulb production and its food preference to shallot at Bibugn Woreda, east Gojjam zone in Ethiopia. The relevant data were generated from both primary and secondary data sources. Sample rural farmer survey, field observation, related and relevant experts and officials’ interview were the major means of generating data. Secondary data were also obtained from relevant organizations document and journal articles. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed to analyze the data. The collected data was analyzed using Microsoft office Excel.  The findings of the study revealed that the cultivation system of onion at the Bibugn Woreda (District) is both irrigation and rain fed with major cultivation system being irrigation. The major constraint of onion production is low water accessibility and disease occurrence. 98 % of both onion and shallot consumers prefer onion to shallot with regards to the food flavouring quality in the study area. So, rural farmers and Woreda Agriculture Office should take controlling and protection measure of onion disease either through supplying disease resistance varieties or improving cultural practices. However, the area could be suitable for onion production as far as such constraints are avoided or reduced. Chemical analysis of onion and shallot bulbs should be identified so as to recognize the case of their flavouring variability for food preference of onion.

Keywords: onion, shallot, food preference, Ethiopia