Challenges on Production and Utilization of White Lupin (Lupinus albus L.) in Ethiopia: A Strategic Orphan Crop

Aim: To assess the potentials and constraints of production and utilization of white lupin in the major growing areas and analyze the production, area coverage and productivity trend in Ethiopia. Study Design: Purposive sampling method was used to select districts and random sampling procedure followed to select respondents among white lupin producers. Methodology: Survey was conducted on Feb 2013 at Machakel and Banja districts of Eastern Gojjam and Awi Zones of Amhara Regional respectively. A sample size of 80 respondents for the two districts was used. The data was analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software, and descriptive statistics was used to interpret the results. In the trend analysis, three forecasting models such as linear trend model, quadratic trend model, and exponential growth model were used to find the best fitted model for area coverage, production, and productivity of white lupin. Forecasting errors namely mean absolute percentage error; mean absolute deviation and mean squared deviation were used as model selection criteria. Results: The study areas showed significant difference (p<0.001) for production and utilization practices. About 82.5% and 66.7% of the respondents at Banja and Machekel districts respectively replied on consumption of snack as supplementary food. Farmers produce the crop with minimum or no cultural practices. About (40%) respondents intercrop white lupin with other crops. Farmers use their own seeds; lack of production packages, late maturity, disease and stepwise postharvest processing are the major constraints. The quadratic model, due to its lowest values of the forecasting errors, was best fitted to predict the future estimate of area, production, and productivity of white lupin. Conclusion: If the current production practices remain unchanged, decreasing in total area coverage, production and productivity will continue. Therefore, for better utilization of this potential crop, the current indigenous farmers’ practices need to be supported by research based technologies of production and utilization.