Matching Extension Service with Farmers' Needs: Towards Combining Social and Agro-Ecological Approaches in Ethiopian Extension

Abstract

An extension service grounded in the social, economic and ecological realities of the farming family and the farm can better target its programs to meet farmers' needs. In this study 305 farm households, from two districts of north-central Ethiopia are used as a case study, to examine key socio-economic and ecological indicators that affect effective use of extension services. Data was collected using the household questionnaire method and analysed using univariate statistical methods to see factors that impact effective use of extension inputs. Of the seven variables selected for analysis, plot topography (TOPGRAPH, p < 0.000), holding size (HOLDSIZE, p < 0.006) and number of oxen owned (OXOWN, p < 0.006) were significantly correlated with the amount of fertilizer use. In other words, those fertilizer-using respondents with flat topography, manageable size of land and a pair of oxen were able to use more fertilizers. For an effective extension service, three approaches are necessary: agro-ecology sensitive extension, need-driven extension service and effective use of indigenous farming knowledge. The three are complementary and provide an integrated extension approach at the local level.

Farmers perception of their level of participation in extension in Ethiopia: Policy implications

“…The 35% of the male farmers in grade 5 to 8 is, even, specifically true only for that area in the country. Berhanu (2008), for instance, in a study conducted in North-Central part of Ethiopia indicated much lower numbers of farmers who reach to grade level educational status. Therefore, a high level of illiteracy among farming communities, and particularly in female farmers is a characteristic feature in Ethiopia.…”

Does Fattening Pay for Smallholders?

“…Despite the large number of livestock population in the country, the output from the sub-sector is low and the rate of growth has been poor, lagging far behind the population growth rates (Brokken et al, 1991). In the same passion, the income from the sector is very minimal as compared to the potential of the live animal population in the country and commercial transformation will lead to enhanced income and livelihood changes (Berhanu et al, 2006).…”