Cluster-based pre-scaling up of tomato technologies in harari region rural areas: Small holder farmers livelihood improvement

Small-holder farmers’ livelihoods basically depend on agricultural products and other related activities. Based on this impression, Agricultural Extension Research team conducted cluster-based pre-scaling up of improved tomato variety (Malka shola) at Harari region in two kebeles (Aradas) Kile and Dodota with objectives of scale up the improved Tomato technologies for increasing the production and productivity for the improvement of small-scale farmers livelihood and strengthen the linkages among stakeholders on the promotion of tomato technologies for one year (2019/2020). For this research activity, 100 farmers with 40% (pre-harvest to post harvest) women composition were participated by grouping them in three clusters, from land preparation to marketing of their products. As a result, 21.88ton/ha at cluster1 12.37ton/ha at cluster 2 and 14.59ton/ha at cluster 3 were produced from the total 75 hectares of land by irrigation system at off season in which Agricultural Extension Research team provided all necessary inputs to targeted farmers according to the land size they own and know how. Throughout this research activity implementation the disease occurrence, ups and down of market price, shortage of seed supply and non-frequent advices from immediate local development agents were raised by farmers as challenges. Therefore, research institutes, government’s development organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders should jointly focus on plant protection, market linkage strengthening, facilitation, capacitating, monitoring and evaluate on ground situation at fi eld and farmers level. Research Article Cluster-based pre-scaling up of tomato technologies in harari region rural areas: Small holder farmers livelihood improvement Ibsa Aliyi Usmane*, Abdulaziz Teha, Badaso Urgesa, Oromiya Magarsa and Robe Elema Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box, 904, Ethiopia Received: 19 October, 2020 Accepted: 29 December, 2020 Published: 30 December, 2020 *Corresponding author: Ibsa Aliyi Usmane, Fadis Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box, 904, Ethiopia, E-mail:


Introduction
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most widely grown vegetable crops in the world [1,2]. It is widely cultivated in all parts of the world and it is the largest in volume of production after potato and sweet potato. Currently, tomato mainly recognized as quality product for both local and export markets and providing a route out of poverty for small scale producers who live in developing countries in general and in Ethiopia in particular [3]. Tomato is a high value commodity which has the potential for improving the incomes and livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and diversifying and increasing Ethiopia's agricultural export exchange earnings [2].
Tomato is the most frequently consumed vegetable in many countries, becoming the main supplier of several plant nutrients and providing an important nutritional value to the human diet. It is also important source of vitamin A and C as well as minerals. It is widely consumed in every house hold in different modes including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes, sauce, salads and drinks [4]. Tomatoes can make people healthier and decrease the risk of conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
People who ate tomatoes regularly have a reduced risk of contracting cancer diseases such as lung, prostate, stomach, cervical, breast, oral, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, and many other types of cancer. The studies show that tomatoes and garlic should be taken together at the same time to have its cancer preventive effects [5].
Despite the importance of this crop, the production and

Materials and methods
This cluster-based pre-scaling improved onion technology research activity was conducted in Harari Region at Kile and Dodota kebeles. This site was selected based on the potential onion production and accessibility of the market nearby the community residence and the site classifi ed into different clusters. After site selection 100 (60 men) farmers in which 40% (40) women composition were selected by considering the experience they have the know-how of the technologies, land availability and other cost-sharing issues. Then, the important training concern to the onion technology production was given for the targeted farmers and classifi ed them into cluster according to the following Table 1.

The research activity implementation
The site was prepared and all the recommended packages were applied that were: row stretching between plants and rows, fertilizer application, and other agronomic practices were undertaken at each stage of onion production to harvesting and marketing.

Result and discussion
The total product obtained per cluster shows that as depicted on Table 2

Training
Field day was organized at research site at time of the maturity stage; farmers, and other stakeholders suggested a couple of ideas and shared experience they have to one another concerned to the tomato varieties with its technology on the farmers land. The technologies exposed to different peoples by television, Radio FM, and written form of extension materials.

Constraints farmers faced during production season
Farmers suggested a couple of issues concerned to the technology as depicted on Table 3 that they have been facing challenges through the production of tomato start from planting to marketing, accordingly delay of inputs, market price fl uctuation, diseases at germination and vegetative stages, lack of support from nearby Development Agents, lack of infrastructure, and storage harvest to long shelf life span of the product. And they suggested that if these problems solved early, they would be more benefi t from the technology and improve their livelihood in strategic ways Table 4.

Exit strategy
The technology pre-scaling up process is a continuous process where the 'end' of pre-scaling up activity is the    'beginning' of the wider scaling up intervention by the public extension system. Hence, there was properly hand over for wider scaling up responsibility to the concerned bodies formally. As a result, emphasis was given to capacity building activities, value addition, community seed system and creation of market linkages to create fertile ground for smooth exit and sustainability of the work.

Discussion
The activity was conducted in Harari region where tomato variety which called "Malka shola" is very adaptable and gave high yield throughout the cluster in the study area. The yields obtained were different because the populations in the cluster were different in number and the variety was very disease and pest resistance as depicted in Table 2