The Role of Agricultural Extension Services on Increasing Food Crop Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in Case of Atsbi Womberta Woreda, Eastern Tigray, and Ethiopia

Abstract

Agricultural extension still remains one of the most crucial and critical means to reach farming households in the rural areas. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the role of agricultural extension service in improving farmer’s productivity in case of Atsbi Womberta Woreda particularly in Zarema Kebele. To achieve this, the study area was selected purposively. The study area had a total of 1213 households and from these 50 respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. The qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used to gather primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected using key informant interview, focus group discussion, and questionnaire whereas the secondary data were collected from offices of agriculture and rural development and offices of Woreda’s Market Promotion. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statics such as frequency, table, mean and percentages. The finding showed that the agricultural extension services had a great contribution on increasing food crop productivity. The total average grosses benefit of the respondent was 39065Birr per hectare. The total net benefit of the respondents was 28717 Birr. As the result indicated the productivity of the respondent has increased twice after they accessed to extension services. The major challenge that inhibited farmers to access extension service was lack of capital, cost of input, lack of land, and low educational level, lack of adequate information and poor information seeking behavior of the farmers. The researcher observed that the extension agents were more focused on the model farmers and gave less attention to poor farmers. This led to limit farmers from participating in extension activity. In order to increase farmers’ participation in extension activity extension agent should treat all farmers equally.