Constraints and Opportunity of Teff Production in the Case of Assosa Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Teff is the crucial cereal for home consumption and playing a significant role in the local economy as a means of earning livelihoods for millions of farmers, creating jobs and generating foreign currency in Ethiopia. Assosa woreda’s which is found in Assosa zone of Benishangul gumuz regional state western part of Ethiopia is potential in cereal production; maize, teff and sorghum are the cereals in the woreda’s. However, currently, farmers are not benefited and production and productivity of the cereals are being decreasing from time to time because of some constraints of them. Therefore, this study was attempted to assess the production constraints and opportunities of teff in the woreda’s. Random sampling method and quantitative and qualitative data type has been employed for data collection. Accordingly, data was collected from 194 randomly selected teff producing households in the woreda’s four kebeles (Amba 1, Amba 10, Ura, Selga 24 and Afasizm). Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interview were made to organize qualitative data type. The result showed that disease, insect pests, lodging, distance to farmer cooperative, distance to extension service, distance to local market and weed were the core production and productivity constraints of teff in Assosa woreda’s. Therefore, the policy makers should have to encouraging the researcher to release generation of disease and insect tolerant varieties of teff, strengthening extension services and also enhance knowledge and skills of smallholder farmers’ developmental endeavors should work and participate on the support research and development should be focused to improve the livelihood and economy of the farmers.

Keywords: Assosa, Cereal, Production; Teff, Ethiopia

DOI: 10.7176/ALST/100-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2024