SURVEY ON WOMEN ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES AT SELECTED DISTRICTS OF MID RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA

The study was conducted at administrative Zone of Oromia Region in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia namely; Dugda, Boset, Ada’a and Fentale districts during 2009 with two objectives: Assessing women farmers access to agricultural extension services and Identifying problems constraining women farmers’ participation in agricultural extension package program. The district was selected purposively based on farming system of the zone. Sampled kebele was selected purposively based on house hold size and suitability of the area for transportation. Respondents were selected based on probability proportionate to sample size (PPS). A total of 201 respondents were selected for interview. Women farmers headed by male (MHHLD) and households headed by women (FHHLD) were included in the sample for comparison purpose. The data was collected through structured interview schedule. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics namely; frequencies, mean, and standard deviation by using SPSS.13 version. Chi-square and t- test were also employed for data analysis. The current study result indicates that participation of FHHLD in agricultural extension package program is still very low (44.4%) when compared with MHHLDs (75%). The major constraints to access and utilization of extension packages identified by this study includes; low supply related problems, cost of the technology (expensive), delay of inputs (input is not available on time), low awareness about technology recommendations and biasdness of extension agents towards progressive farmers can be mentioned. Participation of women farmers in extension events like training, field days and demonstration is also very low (<21%). On the other hand, FHHLDs’ access to productive resources is low when compared with MHHLDs. FHHLD farmers owned a mean of 1.43 ha where as MHHLDs owned a mean of 2.03ha of farm size and their difference is significant at 1% significant level (t = 3.28, p= 0.001). MHHLDs are better access to oxen than FHHLDs and their difference is significant at 1% probability level(x2 = 6. 88, p = 0.009). MHHLDs are also better access to other productive resources like TLU and credit services than FHHLDs. Generally, the study recommends that women farmers /FHHLDs/ needs to be encouraged so as to participate in agricultural extension package program. Specifically, strengthening of women participation in extension events like training, field days and visits needs to be re-considered. Also, strengthening of linkages between development agent and women farmers is one of the other critical factors that requires giving due attention. Furthermore, the study recommends that there is a need to diversify women’s livelihood options.