Onion is a major cash crop mainly produced in the off season using irrigation in Fogera and its surrounding districts of South Gondar zone in Ethiopia. This system of production and marketing is now at a high risk due to repeated monoculture, and harvesting and supply of onion bulbs to the market at a similar time by many farmers. This high supply at a season which peaks towards the end of dry season causes a market glut and falling prices. Furthermore, build up of disease and other insect pest, and dwindling soil fertility are attributable to reduction in productivity and quality of onion bulbs. Targeting to contribute towards minimizing production and marketing risks thereby raising income of growers, this study on intercropping was therefore initiated to identify appropriate companion (second) crop with onion production in the off season using irrigation.

Land equivalent ratio in 2016/17 revealed that the highest yield was obtained from intercropping onion with Dill followed by rape seed, kale and black cumin, while the highest yield in 2017/18 was from intercropping onion with lentil, rape seed, kale and linseed. In general, intercropping onion with both crops considered in this study, except fenugreek, was found more advantageous than sole cropping. Intercropping onion with rapeseed, dill and kale was found more efficient than other intercrops. However, choice for one or two best intercrops may depend on scale of production, the market demand and sustainability of system. Rape seed and kale are used for fresh consumption and require immediate marketing and may not be suitable to large scale production. These kale and rapeseed however can be used as an early income source for they are harvested early. On the other hand, black cumin, linseed, lentil and dill are produced for their grain and there is a flexibility for long storage until good price in the market is secured. Other criteria to be considered may include sustainability of the production system via minimizing build up of diseases and insects, and replenishing soil fertility.