Samenvatting

This study is aimed at assessing market linkages and strategies for smallholder farmers in Lume District, Ethiopia. The study primarily aimed at identifying appropriate market linkages and strategies that can be introduced by the Agricultural Extension Directorate (AED) to enable farmers to access higher prices of onion in Addis Ababa and benefit from onion production and marketing. Accordingly, the study assessed the current structure of onion value chain and market linkages and strategies to smallholder onion farmers to obtain a higher price in the market. The study specifically analysed, the role and relationship of actors; market channels by quantifying costs and profit margins; actors influencing the chain governance of onion; sustainability of production and marketing; market characteristics and requirements; hindering and supporting factors encountered farmers; chain upgrading system; and viable business model to smallholder farmers.