Assessment of Agricultural Innovations, Extension Projects and Their Development in Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018-06-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Transforming Ethiopian agriculture from its current subsistence orientation into market orientated production system forms the basis of the agricultural development strategy of the Government of Ethiopia (GoE). The agricultural extension projects have a central role to play in the transformation process. This paper makes use of literature review and information collected from some woredas of Regional States of Oromiya, Amhara, Tigray and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) in Ethiopia to assess the extension project development, and analyze the approaches and processes used by the current extension projects.
The paper also identifies some of the major bottlenecks in the extension project and suggests recommendations for a more market oriented support service. The extension projects are in the process of transition, with emphasis being shifted to the use of the newly established Farmers Training Centres (FTCs). The FTCs are expected to serve as hubs for the transfer of improved technologies and knowledge, skill development, and the provision of other institutional support services. Agricultural extension projects are supported almost exclusively by the government through the woreda(district) Offices of Agriculture and Rural Development (OoARD). Although the country is following market oriented agricultural development strategy, the extension projects that has been organized for achieving food security objectives has not yet been adapted (both in capacity and organizational structure) to the level of agricultural innovation required for transforming subsistence agriculture to market oriented agriculture. Major problems of the extension projects include top–down and non-participatory approach, primarily supply driven, low capacity of experts and development agents, low morale and high turnover of extension staff, and shortage of operational budget and facilities.
It is recommended that steps be taken to adapt the extension project to fit into the market oriented development strategy. It is also recommended that support is provided to the extension projects to develop pluralistic and interactive operational models geared towards market oriented agricultural development including involvement of the private sector extension through co-operatives and large-scale commercial production and marketing companies. The creation of agricultural innovation teams both at the federal and regional levels will help develop innovative approaches and capacities at the district level, thus contributing to the alleviation of the top–down nature of the extension projects. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) colleges be involved in the learning process and continuously include lessons learned in their curricula
Description
Keywords
The creation of agricultural innovation, Transforming Ethiopian agriculture, learning process and continuously