Browsing by Author "Kefale, Yilkal"

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    Extension Service and Smallholder Agriculture in Achefer Woreda of Amhara Region
    (AAU, 1994) Kefale, Yilkal; Gcbrc, Ayal cw
    This stud y tri es 10 pa may the interac ti on between smallho lder agriculture and c\h: n service in Achcfer \Voreda of Amhara Region. Different methods of data collectio n arc employed 10 generale reliab le dala 10 the desc ription of th e interac tion between ext ension servIce and small holder agri culture. The stud y a lso rev iews th e th eoretical background and the Ethiopian experience in agricultural extension. The study foc lL ses on twO areas. The first area is the description and anal ysis of the soc io economi c fa ctors, which ma y hinder or facilitate the adoption of innovation. The second poinl is Ih e socia -economic impact of extension service on sma llholder agriculture with in th e framework o f agricultural ex tension. The study identifi es land and oxen as a major constraint to the adoplion innovation. Although labour is an imp0l1anl fa ctor in smallholder agriculture, it is nol found in the kcbcle as basic as land and oxen in the adoption of innovation. The local arrangemen ts in the form of II'OIl!cJ./emcm/ .II'ohem allows the now o f labour amon g households in crili ca llimes. Tlllwd as a means o f access to bOl h land and oxen allow th e now of Ihese resources among households. A/ckel/lljo as a means of access 10 oxen also has en;lbl ed the two households 10 combine thei r single ox reso urces for mutual bene fit. It argues thaI some o f local arrangements like /llIIad as access to oxen shed light on the prospect of overcomi ng oxen constraints with the proper adopti on of innovation. It also desc ribes c redit and Illarketin g as one of import ant factors to the adoption of innovation. This study identi fi es that a delay on the availability of inputs is a major constraint in the adopti on of innovation. It demonstrates that agricultural extension is a very good institution to improve the smallholde r agriculture in the kebcJe, though it has limitation in some aspects. The study has also demonst rated the considerab le impacts of extension service on the smallholder agriculture. It desc ribes its impact in the fonn of cultivation, Productivity. croppi ng patlcms and houschold economi c imp rovelllents. It also identifies areas like agricultural implement where agricultural ext ension has not yet made signifi cant impacts. Some of the impacts seem to lack continuity. It :lrgucs th e need to :lddress some problems associ atcd with th e imp:lct o f extension servi ce 011 dietary changes and dec line of productivity. The role o f the extension service in the stud y are'l in tenllS o f introduc ing beHc r natural resources management practices is very minimal and insignificant as compared to its impact 0 11 crop production. Change in the level of prod uctivity has also brought improvements in the household economic status. The study has also identified some of the trends in socio-cult ura l changes, resource utilization and hOllsehold furni ture.
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    Extension Service and Smallholder Agriculture in Achefer Woreda of Amhara Region
    (Addis Ababa University, 2003-06) Kefale, Yilkal; Abebe, Teketel (PhD); Gebre, Ayalew (PhD)
    This study tries to portray the interaction between smallholder agriculture and extension service in Achefer Woreda of Amhara Region. Different methods of data collection are employed to generate reliable data to the description of the interaction between extension service and smallholder agriculture. The study also reviews the theoretical background and the Ethiopian experience in agricultural extension. The study focuses on two areas. The first area is the description and analysis of the socio-economic factors, which may hinder or facilitate the adoption of innovation. The second point is the socio-economic impact of extension service on smallholder agriculture with in the framework of agricultural extension. The study identifies land and oxen as a major constraint to the adoption innovation. Although labour is an important factor in smallholder agriculture, it is not found in the kebele as basic as land and oxen in the adoption of innovation. The local arrangements in the form of wonfel,lemena ,wobera allows the flow of labour among households in critical times. Timad as a means of access to both land and oxen allow the flow of these resources among households. Mekenajo as a means of access to oxen also has enabled the two households to combine their single ox resources for mutual benefit. It argues that some of local arrangements like timad as access to oxen shed light on the prospect of overcoming oxen constraints with the proper adoption of innovation. It also describes credit and marketing as one of important factors to the adoption of innovation. This study identifies that a delay on the availability of inputs is a major constraint in the adoption of innovation. It demonstrates that agricultural extension is a very good institution to improve the smallholder agriculture in the kebele, though it has limitation in some aspects. The study has also demonstrated the considerable impacts of extension service on the smallholder agriculture. It describes its impact in the form of cultivation, Productivity, cropping patterns and household economic improvements. It also identifies areas like agricultural implement where agricultural extension has not yet made significant impacts. Some of the impacts seem to lack continuity. It argues the need to address some problems associated with the impact of extension service on dietary changes and decline of productivity. The role of the extension service in the study area in terms of introducing better natural resources management practices is very minimal and insignificant as compared to its impact on crop production. Change in the level of productivity has also brought improvements in the household economic status. The study has also identified some of the trends in socio-cultural changes, resource utilization and household furniture