Rainy Season Onions (Basalle Setto)

Introduction of rainy season onions in the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea ("Basalle Setto"), 2023-2026

Donors: Achmea Foundation

Goal

Impact goal: to increase the agricultural income of producers (men and women) and to improve the livelihoods of households.

What we do

1,500 farmers trained on good agriculture practices and post-harvest handling techniques. 325 hectares under imported onion production (150 ha during the rainy season and 175 ha during the dry season) with at least 3,500 tons of onions marketed additionally. The objective is to support farmers in the production of rainy season onions by providing them with access to inputs, good agricultural practices (GAP), as well as storage and markets. The specific objectives are:

• SO1: Improve the productivity of rainy season onions
• SO2: Improve producers' access to inputs and finance
• SO3: Improve producers' access to storage facilities and markets

Accomplishments

• A total of 89 farmer groups (2133 farmers, 1519 women), are currently participating in the project
• In all areas covered, the use of the new onion varieties (Prema and Dayo) and improved good practices introduced resulted in an increase in dry season yields of more than 25% compared to the yield of the control variety Violet de Galmi Violet (12 t/ha)
• The Prema and Dayo varieties gave the highest yields (15 to 25 t/ha in the different areas).
• The area under improved practices promoted by the project reached 200 ha
• Good yields (average yield of 27.5 t/ha) were obtained on rainy season onion production plots. The high yields obtained with Prema triggered a strong demand for this variety for the next seasons in Tougué
• A 75 ton capacity storage facility has been constructed and handed over to the community of Téliré, and a management committee established to ensure its proper operation
• A one-hectare sprinkler irrigation system has been installed in Dara Madina, to support the production of onion seedlings during the dry season.