IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION (SPECIALIZATION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study has carry out at Kucha Woreda in Southern Nation Nationalities People’s Regional State in Gamo Zone and its main objective was to assess the smallholder farmer’s participation in the agricultural extension service in the study area. In order to achieve the objective of the study employed, Amulti-stage sampling technique was used to select sample household. The Primary data were collected from 140 sample households selected by using a purposive and simple random sampling method or semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. While the secondary data were collected from different documents. The data analyzed through descriptive statistic and, inferential statistics. The descriptive analysis result indicated as larger number of male in the study area were participate in agricultural extension services and smaller number of female household head were participated. The result of study finding was manifested that the extent of small holder farmers’ participation in mixed farming, veterinary extension service and soil and water conservation were relatively better than that of other extension services. Tobit model result showed that sex of household was negatively and significantly affects the farmer’s participation; on the other hand the determinants of smallholder farmer’s participation such as age of household, educational level of household, farm land size and transportation access were positively and significantly affect the extent of smallholder farmer’s participation in agricultural extension service. The major challenges those hinder farmers participation in the study area were price inflation of agricultural inputs, climate variability, and shortage of infrastructure. Hence, government and non-government organization should pay great attention to create favorable condition to small holder farmers includes building of infrastructures such as road, FTC and strengthens extension training so as to increase their extent of participation in agricultural extension service and to improve their livin