Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Abstract

Testing and Demonstration of Onion Flake Processing Technology in Fogera Area at Rib and Megech River Project

Ayalew Demissew, Ayenew Meresa and Mehiret Mulugeta

Onion is one of the most cultivated and consumed vegetable in Ethiopia. It is widely grown in several parts of the country especially in irrigated areas. In Amhara region, Fogera woreda is one of the place at which onion is cultivated extensively using irrigation. Although there is high onion blub production in this area, about 40% post-harvest losses observed in the district. Consequentially Onion bulb had extreme variable market price during production and off season. To reduce these post-harvest losses and stabilize market fluctuation during the production and off season, onion drying technology was evaluated. At the time of use the onion flake would be rehydrated using warm water. Physicochemical properties of fresh and dried onion were analyzed by sensory analysis. Panel results confirmed onion flake had similar sensory attributes as compared to that of fresh onion. Finally, this onion processing technology was demonstrated in selected potential farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in food processing at Fogera district and promising feed-backs were obtained.