On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Gamachu Ayala; Beyisa Muleta; Eshetu Ararso

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Gamachu Ayala^*

, Beyisa Muleta, Eshetu Ararso

Published in Science Development (Volume 6, Issue 3)

Received: 2 July 2025 Accepted: 15 July 2025 Published: 13 August 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Onion is one of the most important in the daily Ethiopian diet and the most economically vital horticultural crops in the country including west Hararghe zones. The lack of knowledge on efficient water utilization is the major constraint on onion production under irrigation which has to be addressed through efficient utilization of available water resources. This activity was initiated to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of crop water requirement based irrigation on onion yield and water productivity. The study was conducted at Melka irrigation scheme in Gemechis district of west Hararghe zone. Two FREGs (Farmer Research and extension Groups) which consist of 20 members per FREG was established, and a total of 40 farmers were grouped per schemes. Four trial farmers were selected on which to establish the experiment, whereas the remaining farmers were participated during training, field works like; land preparation, furrow layout and construction on selected trial farmers’ field. Two treatments namely; cropwat based irrigation and farmers practice were used on total areas of 21 m x 10 m with 1 m spacing between plot areas of 10 m x 10 m per farmers on which experimental farmers were used as replication. The intra and inter space of 15 x 40 cm was used. The agronomic data such as single bulb weight (g), plant height (cm), marketable and un marketable yield were collected and analyzed using R software as well as farmer perception analyzed using direct matrix ranking method. The cropwat based irrigation treatment used about 387.3 mm total seasonal water use (Etc) throughout growing period of onion while the estimated traditional irrigation was about 490.7 mm. The cropwat based irrigation saved about 103 kg/ha/mm water throughout growing period and 28.53% yield advantage compared to farmers practice (traditional irrigation). Furthermore, improving farmers’ awareness and knowledge through field demonstrations and giving training for farmers on improved water management practices is needed in the future.

Published in	Science Development (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
Page(s)	181-188
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Onion, CROPWAT, FREG, Yield

References

[1]	Ayala. G, Bulti A., Ararso. E and Muleta B. (2021). Onion seed production and water productivity under deficit irrigation in Oda Bultum District, West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. IrrigatDrainage Sys Eng 10: 253.
[2]	Emana. B, Hadera, G. (2007). Constraints and opportunities of horticulture production and marketing in eastern Ethiopia. Dry Lands Coordination Group” DCG Report (2007): 91.
[3]	Ayala G, Beyisa Muleta and Tadele Geremu., 2018. Assessment of Status of Irrigation Practice and Utilization in Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia” journal of Civil and Environmental Research.
[4]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency (2019). Agricultural Sample Survey Report onArea and Production of Major Crops during Meher Season 2018/19 (2011 E. C.).
[5]	Allen R, Pereira L, Raes D, Smith, M. (1998). Crop evapotranspiration; guidelines for computing crop waterrequirements. Food and Agricultural Organization, Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 56, Rome, Italy.
[6]	FAO (1977). Irrigation Water Management Training Manual No. 3.
[7]	Doorenbos J., Kassam, A. H. (1979). Yield response to water. Irrigation and Drainage Paper no. 33. FAO, Rome, Italy.
[8]	Mabratu Y., (2021). Estimation of Crop Water Requirement Using CROPWAT Model for Onion and Tomato, A Case Study of Raya Azebo District, Ethiopia.
[9]	Anbese, A., Seyoum, T., & Hordofa, T. (2020). Effect of irrigation methods and irrigation levels on yield and water productivity of onion at Awash Melkasa, Ethiopia. Octa Journal of Environmental Research, 8(1), 004-016. http://www.seincebeingjournal.com
[10]	Nikolaou, G., Neocleous, D., Christou, A., Kitta, E., & Katsoulas, N. (2020). Implementing sustainable irrigation in water-scarceregions under the impact of climate change. Agronomy, 10(8), 1120. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081120www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy
[11]	Tolossa (2021). Onion yield response to irrigation level during low and high sensitive growth stages and bulb quality under semi- arid climate conditions of Western Ethiopia, Cogent Food & Agriculture, 7: 1, 1859665, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1859665

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ayala, G., Muleta, B., Ararso, E. (2025). On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Science Development, 6(3), 181-188. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ayala, G.; Muleta, B.; Ararso, E. On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Sci. Dev. 2025, 6(3), 181-188. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ayala G, Muleta B, Ararso E. On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Sci Dev. 2025;6(3):181-188. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26,
  author = {Gamachu Ayala and Beyisa Muleta and Eshetu Ararso},
  title = {On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Science Development},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {181-188},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scidev.20250603.26},
  abstract = {Onion is one of the most important in the daily Ethiopian diet and the most economically vital horticultural crops in the country including west Hararghe zones. The lack of knowledge on efficient water utilization is the major constraint on onion production under irrigation which has to be addressed through efficient utilization of available water resources. This activity was initiated to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of crop water requirement based irrigation on onion yield and water productivity. The study was conducted at Melka irrigation scheme in Gemechis district of west Hararghe zone. Two FREGs (Farmer Research and extension Groups) which consist of 20 members per FREG was established, and a total of 40 farmers were grouped per schemes. Four trial farmers were selected on which to establish the experiment, whereas the remaining farmers were participated during training, field works like; land preparation, furrow layout and construction on selected trial farmers’ field. Two treatments namely; cropwat based irrigation and farmers practice were used on total areas of 21 m x 10 m with 1 m spacing between plot areas of 10 m x 10 m per farmers on which experimental farmers were used as replication. The intra and inter space of 15 x 40 cm was used. The agronomic data such as single bulb weight (g), plant height (cm), marketable and un marketable yield were collected and analyzed using R software as well as farmer perception analyzed using direct matrix ranking method. The cropwat based irrigation treatment used about 387.3 mm total seasonal water use (Etc) throughout growing period of onion while the estimated traditional irrigation was about 490.7 mm. The cropwat based irrigation saved about 103 kg/ha/mm water throughout growing period and 28.53% yield advantage compared to farmers practice (traditional irrigation). Furthermore, improving farmers’ awareness and knowledge through field demonstrations and giving training for farmers on improved water management practices is needed in the future.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

AU  - Gamachu Ayala
AU  - Beyisa Muleta
AU  - Eshetu Ararso
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
DO  - 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
T2  - Science Development
JF  - Science Development
JO  - Science Development
SP  - 181
EP  - 188
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7154
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
AB  - Onion is one of the most important in the daily Ethiopian diet and the most economically vital horticultural crops in the country including west Hararghe zones. The lack of knowledge on efficient water utilization is the major constraint on onion production under irrigation which has to be addressed through efficient utilization of available water resources. This activity was initiated to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of crop water requirement based irrigation on onion yield and water productivity. The study was conducted at Melka irrigation scheme in Gemechis district of west Hararghe zone. Two FREGs (Farmer Research and extension Groups) which consist of 20 members per FREG was established, and a total of 40 farmers were grouped per schemes. Four trial farmers were selected on which to establish the experiment, whereas the remaining farmers were participated during training, field works like; land preparation, furrow layout and construction on selected trial farmers’ field. Two treatments namely; cropwat based irrigation and farmers practice were used on total areas of 21 m x 10 m with 1 m spacing between plot areas of 10 m x 10 m per farmers on which experimental farmers were used as replication. The intra and inter space of 15 x 40 cm was used. The agronomic data such as single bulb weight (g), plant height (cm), marketable and un marketable yield were collected and analyzed using R software as well as farmer perception analyzed using direct matrix ranking method. The cropwat based irrigation treatment used about 387.3 mm total seasonal water use (Etc) throughout growing period of onion while the estimated traditional irrigation was about 490.7 mm. The cropwat based irrigation saved about 103 kg/ha/mm water throughout growing period and 28.53% yield advantage compared to farmers practice (traditional irrigation). Furthermore, improving farmers’ awareness and knowledge through field demonstrations and giving training for farmers on improved water management practices is needed in the future.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Gamachu Ayala

Water Conservation and Watershed Management Research Team, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-8417-5604
Beyisa Muleta

Drainage and Water Harvesting Research Team, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara, Ethiopia
Eshetu Ararso

Agricultural Engineering Research Directorate, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Saris, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ayala, G., Muleta, B., Ararso, E. (2025). On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Science Development, 6(3), 181-188. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ayala, G.; Muleta, B.; Ararso, E. On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Sci. Dev. 2025, 6(3), 181-188. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ayala G, Muleta B, Ararso E. On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Sci Dev. 2025;6(3):181-188. doi: 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26,
  author = {Gamachu Ayala and Beyisa Muleta and Eshetu Ararso},
  title = {On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Science Development},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {181-188},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scidev.20250603.26},
  abstract = {Onion is one of the most important in the daily Ethiopian diet and the most economically vital horticultural crops in the country including west Hararghe zones. The lack of knowledge on efficient water utilization is the major constraint on onion production under irrigation which has to be addressed through efficient utilization of available water resources. This activity was initiated to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of crop water requirement based irrigation on onion yield and water productivity. The study was conducted at Melka irrigation scheme in Gemechis district of west Hararghe zone. Two FREGs (Farmer Research and extension Groups) which consist of 20 members per FREG was established, and a total of 40 farmers were grouped per schemes. Four trial farmers were selected on which to establish the experiment, whereas the remaining farmers were participated during training, field works like; land preparation, furrow layout and construction on selected trial farmers’ field. Two treatments namely; cropwat based irrigation and farmers practice were used on total areas of 21 m x 10 m with 1 m spacing between plot areas of 10 m x 10 m per farmers on which experimental farmers were used as replication. The intra and inter space of 15 x 40 cm was used. The agronomic data such as single bulb weight (g), plant height (cm), marketable and un marketable yield were collected and analyzed using R software as well as farmer perception analyzed using direct matrix ranking method. The cropwat based irrigation treatment used about 387.3 mm total seasonal water use (Etc) throughout growing period of onion while the estimated traditional irrigation was about 490.7 mm. The cropwat based irrigation saved about 103 kg/ha/mm water throughout growing period and 28.53% yield advantage compared to farmers practice (traditional irrigation). Furthermore, improving farmers’ awareness and knowledge through field demonstrations and giving training for farmers on improved water management practices is needed in the future.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - On Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Onion Yield and Water Productivity Under Irrigation in Melka Irrigation Scheme, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

AU  - Gamachu Ayala
AU  - Beyisa Muleta
AU  - Eshetu Ararso
Y1  - 2025/08/13
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
DO  - 10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
T2  - Science Development
JF  - Science Development
JO  - Science Development
SP  - 181
EP  - 188
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7154
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scidev.20250603.26
AB  - Onion is one of the most important in the daily Ethiopian diet and the most economically vital horticultural crops in the country including west Hararghe zones. The lack of knowledge on efficient water utilization is the major constraint on onion production under irrigation which has to be addressed through efficient utilization of available water resources. This activity was initiated to evaluate and demonstrate the effect of crop water requirement based irrigation on onion yield and water productivity. The study was conducted at Melka irrigation scheme in Gemechis district of west Hararghe zone. Two FREGs (Farmer Research and extension Groups) which consist of 20 members per FREG was established, and a total of 40 farmers were grouped per schemes. Four trial farmers were selected on which to establish the experiment, whereas the remaining farmers were participated during training, field works like; land preparation, furrow layout and construction on selected trial farmers’ field. Two treatments namely; cropwat based irrigation and farmers practice were used on total areas of 21 m x 10 m with 1 m spacing between plot areas of 10 m x 10 m per farmers on which experimental farmers were used as replication. The intra and inter space of 15 x 40 cm was used. The agronomic data such as single bulb weight (g), plant height (cm), marketable and un marketable yield were collected and analyzed using R software as well as farmer perception analyzed using direct matrix ranking method. The cropwat based irrigation treatment used about 387.3 mm total seasonal water use (Etc) throughout growing period of onion while the estimated traditional irrigation was about 490.7 mm. The cropwat based irrigation saved about 103 kg/ha/mm water throughout growing period and 28.53% yield advantage compared to farmers practice (traditional irrigation). Furthermore, improving farmers’ awareness and knowledge through field demonstrations and giving training for farmers on improved water management practices is needed in the future.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download