Obstacles of Development Agents for Gender Equality in Agricultural Extension Services in Finfine Surrounding Special Zone and East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was designed to find out the barriers which limit the active participation of both the genders (men and women) in agricultural operations and also towards gender disparity in agricultural extension. Agriculture comprises of a number of farming activities, where both men and women are involved in multiple diverse nature of field operations. In spite of their high contribution in farm and non-farm activities, there exist gender disparities with reference to agricultural extension, advisory services. The study was conducted in five districts in east Shewa and Finfine surrounding special zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Personal interviews were conducted from male and female development agents. The total sample size of the study was 60 (49 male and 11 female). A designed structured questionnaire was prepared for the data collection as the research instrument. The data thus collected were coded on SPSS for analysis and interpretation. Results showed that approximately 87% of men farmers participated at a high rate, whereas the majority of women farmers participated at a medium rate. Female heads were found to be more involved than wives in agriculture and livestock production. It is apparent that women's participation in animal production practices is higher than in crop production. In spite of their participation in crops and livestock activities it was found that compared to female farmers, male farmer heads had access to agricultural extension/advisory and agricultural information services and credit facilities. This is due lack of proper transport facilities for female extension staff, non-availability of female extension staff, Lack of reorganization and appreciation of rural female’s work, lack of provision of agricultural credit facilities for women and lack of decision making authority among female workers. The results of the t-test statistics showed that there is highly significant difference in opinion of male and female respondents regarding barriers to gender equality in agricultural extension in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Development agent, Extension service, Gender equality, Obstacles

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/14-1-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2024