| dc.description.abstract | This paper evaluates the determinants of onion profitability among smallholder farmers at
Mlembule Ward. Specifically, the paper determines onion profitability status, examines
determinants of onion profitability and assesses strategies for improving profitability. The paper
employed a cross-sectional research design whereby structured and semi-structured interviews,
focus group discussions and documentary review methods werere used for data collection.
Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of
respondents and key informants respectively. Data analysis employed in this study included both
inferential and descriptive statistics. The findings depicted that, average gross profit, average net profit and profit margins were higher in the dry season compared to the rainy season. Binary
logistic regression analysis indicated that, sex (0.047), education (0.029), capital (0.049), seeds
variety (0.011), market access (0.05), market prices (0.034), credits access (0.034), irrigation
technology (0.05), fertilizer (0.032) and farm size (0.016) significantly affected the profitability
of onion at p<0.05. The main strategies employed for profitability were wholesale selling,
improving yield quantity and quality and formingWater Users Association (WUA). Therefore,
community efforts, credit availability, research and financial support from the Ministry of Water
and Irrigation and interested development partners have to improve profitability. Empowering
marketing associations, improving market and irrigation infrastructures and extension services
provision through the ditrict council have to improve onion profitability. | en_US |
