Determinants of Famers Access to Agricultural Extension Services in Lare District, Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Chuol Bor¹

1. Dept. of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gambella University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.11 , pp.28-35, Nov-2024

Online published on Nov 30, 2024

Copyright © Chuol Bor . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
Agricultural extension services play a vital role in disseminating information, knowledge, and technologies to farmers, enabling them to improve agricultural practices, boost productivity, and enhance livelihoods. However, farmers in remote areas face significant challenges in accessing these services due to issues such as distance, lack of transportation, inadequate infrastructure, cultural beliefs, and limited social networks. This study employed a simple random sampling technique to select kebelles, and respondents were chosen using a lottery method. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and a binary logistic regression model. The findings reveal that farmers` access to agricultural extension services is constrained by insufficient infrastructure, a shortage of qualified personnel, and persistent cultural and traditional practices. The study also highlights the essential roles of agricultural extension services in providing education, training, technology transfer, advisory services, and market information. Key determinants identified include age, fertilizer utilization, and credit access, which negatively impact access, while extension contact positively influences it. The study recommends enhanced support from donors to improve infrastructure, establish more extension offices and training centers, and increase the number of skilled workers. Furthermore, government organizations and NGOs should prioritize educating farmers on fertilizer and pesticide use, improving access to credit and financial resources, and organizing regular training programs to support sustainable farming practices.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Access, agricultural extension services, determinants, farmers, Lare district

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