Drivers of agricultural extension service delivery on soil and water conservation practices: evidence from North-Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, the successful implementation of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices relies on the efforts of Development Agents (DAs) who provide support and guidance, as well as the willingness of farmers to adopt these practices. Hence, this study aimed to assess farmers’ opinions on the adequacy of SWC extension services; identify factors affecting the job performance of DAs; and identify factors affecting farmers’ receipt of SWC extension services. The study was conducted in the Western Amhara Region of Ethiopia in three administrative zones. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey, a self-administered questionnaire, and a checklist from nine kebeles, comprising 383 and 87 randomly selected farmers and DAs, respectively. The study found that farmers perceived DAs have been performing adequately for only approximately 40% of all types of SWC extension services.  The result also confirmed that DAs have been performing effectively for only 35.7% of all types of SWC extension functions (five normative extension functions out of 14), and the remaining 64.3% of extension functions were performed poorly. Multiple linear regression model results confirmed that sex, age, and work experience are negatively related to DA’s job performance, whereas educational qualification is positively related.  On the other hand, the model confirmed that sex and land holding size have been negatively related to farmers’ receipt of SWC extension service, whereas age, cosmopolitanism, and social participation are related positively. Therefore, the study concludes that farmers’ demand-driven extension service delivery is more effective when the above-listed farmers’ personal, socio-economic, and institutional characteristics are addressed, and policies and legal frameworks are in place to guide the extension service delivery. The Amhara National Regional State should deliver timely job training courses for DAs to enable them and update their skills in the areas of SWC practices.