The Role of Rural Community Training in Agricultural Production and Household Food Security: The Experience of Agri-Service Ethiopia (NGO) in Bale Zone

Worku, Temesgen Aklilu (2001) The Role of Rural Community Training in Agricultural Production and Household Food Security: The Experience of Agri-Service Ethiopia (NGO) in Bale Zone. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

This paper comprises all rounded analysis of literature and empirical results of the impact of community training on household food security. The study is based on Bale zone three woredas-Gassera Golo1cha, Ginir and Goro. These woredas are preferred because Agri-service Ethiopia, local NGO, has been providing rural community training for selected farmers through its integrated rural development program since 1987. Highland area of Bale is taken as potential area for agricultural production. Despite its potentiality, Bale zone is not thoroughly studied to maximize its potential. As a result small-scale farmers are less access to modem technology and methods of farming to change their life style. Consequently, this study focused to deal with the role of community training on participant household agricultural production and food security. Comparing approach of participant and non-participant farmers is applied to indicate the differences between the two groups of farmers. Primary data collection is undertaken in January 2001 from the woredas, Kebeles and villages equally fifty percent from participant households of Agri-service Ethiopia and non-participants. Discussion and analysis of the finding is made both qualitatively and econometrically. The basic data analysis of age, sex, educational status, ethnic group, religion of household head and family size was made. Agricultural production activities of-cereals and pulses (main crop), garden, tree crops and livestock production, input utilization and finally consumption pattern of two groups of household is thoroughly investigated. In addition to these, based on their main crop production, those households food secure and insecure are distinguished. The factors that determine the status of household to be food self-sufficient are also econometrically measured. The results of the study indicate that the impact of community training provided for farmers is with less (insignificant) impacts on the main crop production compared to non-trained farmers. The role of training is reflected on natural resource conservation, garden and tree crops, input utilization rate and production of poultry and bee-keeping production and quality of livestock. Crop damage that faced participant farmers is one cause that reduced the positive impact of community training. Empirical analysis indicated that 32.7 percent of participant farmers and 25.7 percent of nonparticipants are found to be food insecure at 2100 Kc1 minimum calorie requirement using main crops production. The status household food self-sufficiency is highly negatively correlated with family size; crop loss (damage) occurred and improved seed used. The status of food security is also strongly positively correlated with cultivated land, asset sold by household and fertilizer input used. Finally, therefore, the strategy to apply family planning in rural households and supplying disease and pest controlling improved seeds, which help to reduce the risk of crop damage. Since cultivated land size is one of main determinants to attain food self-sufficiency farmers with small size of lands should benefited with access to non-farm activities for diversification. Farmers should be oriented to keep and improve the natural quality (fertility) of their cultivated land.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races L Education > L Education (General) S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2018 09:08
Last Modified:	10 Sep 2018 09:08
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8571

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