Agricultural Modernization, Extension and Peoples’ Perception in Gamo Highlands: Southwest Ethiopia

by Open Science Repository Agriculture
(December 2013)

Abstract

As common in most rural areas of Ethiopia, the prevailing farming system in Gamo highlands is largely dominated by small scale and still predominant subsistence agriculture with traditional production systems. However, the recent development to introduce modern agricultural technologies and inputs need attention. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent of agricultural modernization and people’s responses to the modern agricultural technologies and inputs in Gamo highlands. Data were collected from 193 sample households taken from three peasant associations. A detailed structured household survey and a wide range of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics as well as ground theory analysis were employed to analyze the data. Results confirm that though chemical fertilizers, improved livestock and crop varieties, conventional soil conservation and fertility management techniques were introduced to the Gamo Highlands, its influence to change the agricultural systems is still at initial stage. Farmers at dega and woynadega prefer indigenous soil conservation structure (keela) to conventional ones to protect their soil from erosion. Generally, chemical fertilizers and maize are well adopted at low lands. Lack of budget, low infrastructure, high turnover of extension workers and low commitment of responsible bodies were the factors affecting the expansion of extension services.

Keywords: modern agriculture, agricultural inputs, extension, highland.

Full text

Agricultural Modernization, Extension and Peoples’ Perception in Gamo Highlands: Southwest Ethiopia