Assessment of Garlic Production Constraints and Trait Preferences in Garlic Cultivar Development in Two Woredas, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Garlic (Allium sativium L.) is the major food and cash crop in the highland regions of Ethiopia. However, farmers are not integrated into the garlic breeding process. The objectives of this assessment were to identify farmers’ key garlic production constraints and establish preferred traits in garlic cultivar development in the two woredas of Sidama Region (Ethiopia). A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was conducted through a structured survey involving 36 households in Malga and Gorche woredas. A structured survey used a questionnaire which was administered to farmers to collect information on key production constraints, varieties of garlic seed used for production, seed source etc., according to the assessment result of this study, the cultivar used for garlic production is the local variety in the two woredas. Hence, the most important garlic production constraints are lack of high yielding cultivars, garlic disease and insects. To conclude active farmer participation in early breeding stages is critical for a successful garlic breeding program. Based on the assessment it is possible to recommend that high yielder garlic variety, disease tolerance, insect resistant and cultivars having high dry matter content are the most important parameters preferred by farmers, which helps them to produce maximum products and serve as a source of income to many rural farmers.