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A Cost-benefit Analysis of the Advantages of Quinoa Compared With Major Competing Crops in Wag-Himira Zone, Ethiopia

100%

Mihiretu A., Ayen K.

Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development

2023

vol. 70

issue 4

401-410

A household survey was conducted to assess the cultivation of quinoa in Wag-himira zone, Ethiopia. Farmers’ perceptions of quinoa, its profitability, and relevant production practices and constraints, as well as their acceptance of the crop and willingness to grow it, were profiled. A total of 247 farmers were purposively sampled based on their involvement in quinoa farming for at least one year. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, then analyzed using descriptive statistics, a cost-benefit analysis, a Likert rating scale and a ranking index. The results reveal that except for poor resistance to insect pests and marketability, farmers had a good perception of quinoa according to most preference parameters. It had a higher grain yield than teff, but had lower grain and straw yields than other competing crops. The gross margin was higher than for other crops, and quinoa was ranked third according to its benefit-cost ratio, behind sorghum and faba beans. The farmers’ sensory preferences for quinoa food types were injera, bread, kitta and porridge in descending order. Among the respondents, 67.6% were interested in continuing with quinoa production, but the rest refused due to labor shortages, market problems, seed shortages and food recipe knowledge gaps. Susceptibility to pests, marketing and straw palatability problems and the requirement for fertile soil were constraints on quinoa production. Therefore, concerned bodies such as research institutes should pay attention to developing and/or devising appropriate pest control mechanisms. Seed-producing and marketing cooperatives should be strengthened to make quinoa crop production viable.

Pearl Millet, the Hope of Food Security in Marginal Arid Tropics: Implications for Diversifying Limited Cropping Systems

81%

Mihiretu A., Assefa N., Wubet A.

Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development

2023

vol. 67

issue 1

93-102

Pearl millet has great potential to withstand climate-related risks in marginal areas. However, much remains unknown as to how it contributes to income and food security at the smallholder level. As a result, this study assessed the contributions of pearl millet to the farmers’ income and food security, its production constraints, and connections between stakeholders in the marginal arid tropics of Northeast Amhara. The technology was promoted for five (2015–2019) production years, and data from 223 samples were analyzed. The new pearl millet technology provided better yield (1420 kg·ha-1) and net return (42328 ETB ha-1) than sorghum, even in difficult climatic conditions. Despite the higher cost of production, its additional returns (31638) and effective gains (28838) were higher across the years. The results of the sensory evaluation revealed that “Enjera”, “Tella”, Bread, and Porridge were the farmers’ 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th food type choices of pearl millet, respectively. The trend towards acceptance of the technology made up a large number of the farmers, as 79.5% of those who participated applied the full technology package. Those who did not apply the full package did so due to labor shortages, technological complexity, and insufficient practical training. Therefore, climate-smart pearl millet crop technology is recommended for better and consistent production in marginal arid-tropical areas.

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2 Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development

2 Mihiretu A.

1 Assefa N.

1 Ayen K.

1 Wubet A.

2 2023

Search results

A Cost-benefit Analysis of the Advantages of Quinoa Compared With Major Competing Crops in Wag-Himira Zone, Ethiopia

Pearl Millet, the Hope of Food Security in Marginal Arid Tropics: Implications for Diversifying Limited Cropping Systems