Assessment of postharvest losses and marketing of onion in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was designed to provide empirical information on postharvest losses of onion in Bora and Dugda districts in Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 155 producers and 56 traders were surveyed to collect primary data including quantitative measurement of losses. The results revealed that younger male farmers are the major producers as they may be more successful in establishing good market linkages and more willing to take risk than older farmers. Over 97% of the harvested onion is meant for sales implying that the crop is commercially driven. Over 30% postharvest losses were registered mainly because of poor cultural practices and disease attack during production and harvesting as well as poor handling practices, storage and transport. The postharvest losses resulted in a 61% reduction of producers' price (income) during the wet season. Skills building interventions are crucial to improve pre-harvest crop management and postharvest handling practices.