Local Community’s Knowledge on Onion Production, Pests and Pests Management in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

To assess local community’s knowledge on onion production, pests and pests management a baseline survey was carried out in Kilosa and Kilolo Districts. The results indicated that more than 36% of onion  producers were middle aged (34-49 years) and were literate at least with secondary education (80%).  Onion production was the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of hundred onion farmers (40  females, 60 males) interviewed. Up to three onion crops per year from different fields were realized due to availability of means for irrigation mainly by flooding and the main production season was from March-July under monoculture or in the intercropping. Eighty four per cent of onion farmers own land and production was on small scale holders. Fifty per cent of small scale farmers produced onion on land size of 0.25-2.0 acres.Onion varieties grown were Red Bombay, Red Creole and Khaki with preference to Red Bombay (72%) for its high yield, marketability and bulb size while Khaki (21%) was chosen for its storability. Onion seed sources were from other farmers (40%) and were expensive, which means the cost for seeds were beyond a prospective farmer’s affordability. The most prevalent pests reported by interviewees were thrips (Thrips tabaci) (73%), weeds led by Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) (55%) and fungal diseases led by purple blotch (55%).Onion production was found to be the major source of livelihood to more than 80% of farmer respondents. The challenges observed were such as source of improved seeds, means to combat pests and lack of higher yielding varieties which can resist insect pests and diseases. The IPM package on management of the most prevalent pestsis required to reduce onion yield losses.

Keywords: Onions, baseline survey, onion varieties,