Extension Service and Smallholder Agriculture in Achefer Woreda of Amhara Region
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2003-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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
Description
Keywords
Social Anthropology