Avances en ciencia y tecnología de cultivos

Abstracto

Establishment of Improved Avocado Farming Villages at Wondo and Wondo Genet Districts, Southern Ethiopia

Dejene Tadesse Banjaw, Habtamu Gudisa Megersa, Dadi Tolessa Lema, Damtew Abewoy

Avocado is one of the most economically important climacteric fruits in the world. Ethiopia is among the avocado producing sub-Saharan countries because of the suitable agro-ecologies of the country. In order to improve the avocado production and productivity in the country, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) played great role in avocado variety development and linkage to the producers providing technical support as well as initial avocado technologies. However, avocado production largely dominated by the no-grafted (improved) avocado varieties. Hence, establishment of the grafted avocado farming villages at both Wondo Genet and Wondo districts was conducted to demonstrate and enhance better avocado production and quality through addressing improved avocado seedlings and technical support to farmers. Producers trained about avocado seedling preparation, grafting, transplanting planting, and on-farm tree management practices. Availabilities of grafted (improved) avocado fruits on local markets in both districts and the nearby areas enriched. Female participation in avocado farming and value addition enhanced. However, for comprehensive avocado production and productivity, limitations of the avocado value chain in the study areas should be solved