Characterizing smallholder onion farming in Sironko district: Implications for practice and policy in Uganda

The present study was conducted in four major onion growing sub-counties of Sironko district in eastern Uganda to investigate the socio-economics characteristics of red onion farmers. Primary cross-sectional data used for this study were collected using a structured questionnaire administrated to 216 red onion farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that the average age of onion farmers was 39 years, with each farmer having about seven years of formal education and 15 years of onion growing experience. The onion farming households had on average seven members. Male farmers dominated onion production. Access to credit, agricultural extension and group membership were generally low. Most of the onion farmers had diversified into other agricultural enterprises and non-farm income generating activities. These findings suggest that given the importance of access to credit and agricultural extension, increasing onion farmers access to credit and extension would increase onion production and productivity. Given the income potential of onion production, there is need to empower women through self-help groups so as to increase their participation in onion production. Keywords: Descriptive analysis,onion production, smallholders, Sironko district, Uganda