Analysis of Female-Headed and Male-Headed Households’ Participation in Public Agricultural Extension Services: The Case of Meskan Woreda, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study analyzed female-headed and male-headed households’ participation in public agricultural extension services: The Case of Meskan Woreda, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia .The objectives were to assess participation of female-headed and male-headed farmers in major crop and livestock extension packages, and to identify determinants of participation of female-headed and male-headed households in major crop and livestock extension packages. A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was employed to select Kebeles: Wita, Yimariwacho 3^rd, Mesrak meskan and Welansho 2^nd were used based agro ecology. Samples were allocated across the four Kebeles using probability proportional to size sampling technique. Finally, a total of (143) sampled male (92) and female-headed households (51) were selected by using stratified and systematic random sampling method. Sampled household heads survey data were collected using pre-tested structured interview schedule, focus group discussions and key informants interview. Descriptive and econometric were employed to analyze the collected survey data. Among 14 explanatory variables included in to the logit model, land size, Development agent contact, and mass media exposure had shown positive and statistically significant influence while sex, age and market distance had shown negative and statistically significant influence on farmers’ household head participation in crop and livestock extension services. The findings indicate that younger household age, the better the asset holdings (farm size), frequent Development agent contact, more mass media exposure, and shorter market distance was improved female-headed and male-headed households participation the in crop and livestock extension services. Thus, enhancing efficient delivery of services and increasing young age of household head farmers in terms of equal sex participation, farm size, Development agent contact, and mass media access would improve household head farmers’ participation in public agricultural extension services.

Keywords: crop and livestock extension packages; female-headed, male-headed