Author(s):
In the Amhara region, malnutrition problems are deep-rooted in rural households. To overcome such problems different food items should be produced and consumed at the household level by different production mechanisms. Among the food items, watermelon is one of the best food items which have tremendous nutritional value and can easily be produced by the farmer under irrigation. Before the trial was conducted the communities were not known how to produce watermelon as well as how to consume the fruit. To popularize this nutritional dense fruit in the area GARC introduced a new watermelon variety with the collaboration of PASDIP II. The experiment was conducted at Tena and Agamwuha irrigation scheme. The main objectives of these activities were to demonstrate watermelon technology under irrigation to assess farmers’ and extension workers’ reactions to the technology and strengthen linkage among stakeholders. Crimson sweet variety was demonstrated on 800 m2 plot of land. To evaluate the technology FREG was established. The FREG members got training about watermelon production and crop management as well as training on how to consume the fruit. The FREG members and other adjacent farmers were visited and evaluated the demonstrated technology by fruit yield, taste and market demand. After their observation and tasting of the fruit, the farmers were impressed and motivated to produce the crop in the next irrigation season for marketing purpose and their home consumption. The newly introduced variety was given a mean fruit yield of 24.72tha-1. To improve watermelon production as well as food consumption in the district and similar agroecologies crimson sweet variety with a full production package should be promoted under irrigation.
