Wollo University Dessie Campus

Collage Of Agricultural

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension

Research proposal on:

Assessing the Accessibility and Use of Agricultural Information by Smallholder Farmers:

The Case of Boru Meda
Group members Name ID No.

1. Hasen Ali 1032/12

2. Helen Bereded 1062/12

Advisor: Belaynesh (MSC)

Feb, 2023

Dessie, Ethiopia

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................2
1.1. Background.......................................................................................................................2
1.2. Statement of the Problem..................................................................................................4
1.3. Objective of the study...........................................................................................................5
1.3.1. General Objective of the Study......................................................................................5
1.3.2. Specific objectives of the Study.....................................................................................5
1.4. Research Questions...........................................................................................................5
1.5. Scope and Limitation of the Study........................................................................................6
1.6. Significance of the Study......................................................................................................6
1.7. Organization of the study......................................................................................................7
2. LITRETURE REVIEW...............................................................................................................8
2.1. Review of Accessibility to and use of Agricultural Information..........................................8
2.2 Constraint of accessibility and use of agricultural information.............................................9
2.3 Empirical studies on factor access and utilization of agricultural information-----9

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................12
3.1 Description of the Study Area..............................................................................................12
3.2 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure.................................................................................12
3.3 Methods of Data collection and Analysis............................................................................12
 3.4 Selection of variables and measurement techniques............................................................13
3.4.1 Dependent variables:.....................................................................................................13
3.4.2 Independent variables....................................................................................................13
4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET BREAK DOWN.....................................................................14
4.1. Work plan............................................................................................................................14
4.2. Budget breakdown..............................................................................................................14
Reference.......................................................................................................................................16

ABBREVIATONS AND ACRONYM

WARDO Woreda Agricaltural and Rural Development Offices

PADETES Participatory Demonstration and Training Extenssion System

AKI Agricaltural Knowledge and Information

ARDO Agricaltural and Rural Development Offices

ADs Development Agents

CSA Central Statistics Authority

ADLI Agricalturel Development Led Industrialization

ACSI Amahara Credit and Saving Institution

FHHs Female Headed Household

GDP Gross Domestic Product

PRA Participatory Rural Apprisal

PTD Participatory Technology Development

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. A Background

It is indubitable that, for every country in the world, agriculture is an indispensable sector that
accelerates economic growth and development (Enu &Attah-Obeng, 2013). Likewise, agriculture
is the dominant sector and main stay of the worlds’ population especially, in developing
countries (Bechdol et al., 2010; Arega, 2010 & Kaya et al., 2008). To feed the rapidly growing
population, therefore, smallholder farmers need to be productive using the existing limited land
acreage by employing agricultural inputs.

The agricultural production system in Ethiopia is highly dominated by traditional farming and
the application of modern inputs has been extremely limited. As a result, yields of various crops
are very low. In the absence of an efficient agricultural sector, countries like Ethiopia severely
suffer from the inability to feed them and to depend on food imports and food aid (Tsegaye,
2003). A significant proportion of the population, particularly in the developing world has been
suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Especially in Ethiopia, according to Samuel (2006), the
number of people needing food aid has been increasing. Over a period of two and half decades,
the proportion of the population deemed food insecure rose from 5% in the 1970s to over 20% in
2003. Workneh (2004) also explained that, about 22 % of Ethiopians were in need of food aid in
2003.

Rapid growth of population, environmental degradation and low agricultural production and
productivity are major problems faced by the country. The Government of Ethiopia is currently
giving attention to strategies of achieving food security and poverty reduction. According to
EIPRTP (2000), regional Governments have identified various projects to tackle the problem of
food insecurity which arise either from extremely small size of landholdings or drought
proneness in dry-land agriculture. Beside these activities, the Government of Ethiopia planned
resettlement program as one means of poverty reduction strategy.
Different political regimes in Ethiopia implemented resettlement program as a strategy of
responding to the problems of highland vulnerable areas. Under this program, farmers living
Agriculture in Ethiopia had not been open to outside information due to many factors and
consequently, its technological progress has been restrained for a long time. It is a fact beyond
dispute that technology can play an important role in increasing production, income and efficient
use of resources for the economic development of the country (Tsegaye, 2003). As
Habtemariam, (2004) stated a thriving agricultural economy is critical for reducing poverty,
ensuring food security and managing natural resources, and to this effect, agricultural extension
is expected to play an accelerator role.

With the aim of increasing production efficiency and improving the livelihoods of the rural
population, in 1995 the Federal Government of Ethiopia proposed the Participatory
Demonstration and Training Extension System (PADETES) as a national extension intervention
program. The aim of the Government was to reach as many smallholder farmers as possible in a
relatively short time. PADETES promotes diffusion and adoption of extension packages, which
consist of four elements namely, technological package, credit, appropriate communication
methods and provision of technologies with the aim of increasing productivity of resources,
income and improving the life of rural people (Tsegaye, 2003). The Government considers that
agricultural information will be provided through PADETES.

Despite these policy interventions, due to the insufficient rate of production and productivity,
according to Meseret (2012) and Askal (2010) persistent poverty and poor nutritional status are
common. This is due to different production paralyzing factors like absence of new agriculture
issues like finance, logistics, storage, transportation and value chains (AsensoOkyere & Samson,
2012); lack of an integrated climate data base (Thomson et al., 2011); delays in procurement and
distribution of inputs (Salami et al., 2010); lowest land share per household, 0.5 hectare (Dercon
& Zeitlin, 2009 and Diao & Nin pratt, 2007).

In most cases, farmers differ in their access to and utilization of agricultural information from
extension service and other sources. Such diversity among farmers could be related to various
personal, social, economical, or institutional factors. Understanding reasons behind such
diversity and farmers current level of access and utilization of agricultural information is of
paramount importance. To enhance the production and productivity of agriculture, farmers
should have access to well organize and relevant information and proper and sufficient
utilization of agricultural information requires good facilitation.

This study is designed to analyze in-depth the farmers’ accessibility and use of agricultural
information in Boru Meda as well as to identify influencing factors to make useful policy
recommendations, to facilitate meaningful interventions in the areas of agricultural extension so
that relevant information is provided in a timely manner.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Starting from 2003, the Government of Ethiopia has been implementing a resettlement program
in different parts of the country by mobilizing people from the drought-prone areas to the
relatively unpopulated fertile low land areas.

For all settlers, particularly for new settlers having poor agricultural experience in the new agro
ecology, the study Agricultural and Rural Development office, particularly the extension team, is
expected to assist and provide agricultural information in order to improve the production and
productivity of the farmers, enabling them to achieve food security and income generation.

The new settlers, previously living in high lands, are now living in low land areas. From the
farming system point of view, these two areas are quite different, and especially the type of crop,
type of livestock production and management, type of vegetation and management practices are
not similar to those in highland.

The new settlers do not have enough know-how of the new farming system to produce
agricultural products efficiently to be food secure. Their natural resource management and
utilization, for generating income have always been criticized by previously settled farmers, due
to the importance of vegetation cover in existing agro ecology. Moreover, the new settlers have
no access to credit from cooperatives for the purpose of agricultural technology utilization due to
their instability and lack of collateral.

To alleviate these problems, the extension service is expected to play a significant role by
providing adequate and relevant agricultural information. But, the wired extension staff has not
been able to adequately support them due to the limited number of extension staff during the
resettlement program implementation and the new settlers have been highly unsatisfied with and
critical of the extension team.

This study while understanding the access and utilization of agricultural information services in
the settlement areas of the study area. Also attempts to identify the constraints and factors that
influence provision of agricultural information to make useful policy recommendations, to
facilitate meaningful intervention

1.3. Objective of the study

1.3.1. General Objective of the Study

General objective of the study is to assess the accessibility and use of agricultural information by
smallholder farmers: the Case of Boru Meda, South Wollo, Amhara Ethiopia

1.3.2. Specific objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of the study are:

 to assess the accessibility of agricultural information by smallholder farmers: the Case of

Boru Meda, South Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia To assess the previous and new settler
farmers’ utilization of relevant agricultural information,
 to assess the use of agricultural information by smallholder farmers: the Case of Boru
Meda, South Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia
 To identify the factors influencing access and utilization of agricultural information by
previous and new smallholder farmers in the study area.

1.4. Research Questions

 What is the level of access to agricultural information by smallholder farmers?
 What is the level of utilization (use) of agricultural information by smallholder farmers?
 What are factors influencing accesses and utilization of agricultural information by
smallholder farmers
1.5. Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of the study will be to examine the level of access to and utilization of agricultural
information by smallholder farmers, in three to assess the accessibility and use of agricultural
information by smallholder farmers in Boru Meda, South Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia focused on
the contribution and constraints of existing information flows in the on-going resettlement
program.

Even though 50% of the new settlement stallholder was included in the sample, it may have a
limitation of representing all the previous settlers’ stallholder relative to the total area coverage.
One concern of the research was to know whether the new settler farmers are in a position to
manage the new farming system efficiently or not. The mobility of new settler farm households
to serve as hired labor in agricultural investment areas, off farm activities and to visit their family
in their native area were the other limitations. These situations have contributed to reducing the
probability of getting good representative sample households.

1.6. Significance of the Study

To bring about agricultural development, the provision of agricultural information plays a
decisive role. Agricultural information can flow to different farm households from different
sources. Currently beside the indigenous farm experience, Government designed programs
contribute to provide agricultural information in order to improve the life of rural people.

Smallholder access to and utilization of agricultural information have not been conducted in
Boru Meda, so far, though successive settlers have come to inhabit the area. The previously
settled farmers, who have been living in the area for more than 50 years, have enough know-how
of their farming system. But the new settlers who came from another place require tailored and
intense provision of agricultural information compared to the previous settlers. However, both
settlers have been provided with similar agricultural information while following the same
extension approach.

All development actors like extension services, NGOs and other development agencies involved
in agricultural development, especially in resettlement program, must be aware of the need to
understand the constraints and factors influencing the level of the access to and utilization of
agricultural information and understand the gaps to take remedial action. It is important for
policy makers to understand whether the existing agricultural information services, beside the
local knowledge flows, assures the desired resettlement based food security strategy and to make
useful policy changes to facilitate meaningful interventions in the settlement areas during the
transition period.

1.7. Organization of the study

The proposal is organized in to five parts. The first part introduces background, statement of the
problem, objectives, scope, limitations and significance of the study. Relevant literatures were
reviewed in the second part. The third part discusses the research methodology employed.
Budget breakdown and time schedule of the study are presented and discussed in the fourth part.
 2. LITRETURE REVIEW

2.1. Review of Accessibility to and use of Agricultural Information

The advancements in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) provide an
opportunity for developing countries to harness and utilize information and knowledge to
improve productivity in various sectors including agriculture (Lwoga, 2010). Information makes
one to take appropriate decisions on any problem facing him or her at any particular time
(Achugbue, 2011). Information can be described as knowledge needed to answer some questions
faced by people in their daily lives. Every person needs information for decision-making. Such
information ranges from common physiological needs to individual physiological needs.

Stressing the importance of information, Wulystan (2012) described information as the

cornerstone of successful socio-economic development because it plays a key role in decision-
making. Achugbue and Anie (2011) opined that information, as an enterprise is important for the
production process especially for agricultural production and marketing of agricultural produce.
The major sources of information for farmers were predominantly local (neighbors, friends and
family), followed by public extension services. Agricultural input suppliers, village meetings,
farmer groups, and co-operative union’s and NGOs were important sources of agricultural
knowledge in some locations. Print materials with the exception of books had low use due to
their unavailability and illiteracy.

Apart from radio and cell phones, advanced technologies (i.e. internet and e-mail) were also used
at a low rate despite their existence in the communities. Farmer’s access to different information
sources helps them to get information about improved technologies and enhance the adoption of
new innovations. Conducting various extension events plays an important role in the provision of
different agricultural information and consequently enhances the utilization of the accessed
information. Socio-economic characteristics of a farmer such as farm size, farming experience,
on-farm and off-farm income and educational level influence the adoption of technologies
(Daniel, 2008).

Farmer’s decision to adopt a new agricultural technology in preference to old technologies

depends on factors such as access to institutional services and in-put supply of agricultural
technologies (Khan et al., 2008). Resource endowment is also one of the factors affecting
farmers’ decision to adopt a new agricultural technology (Khan et al., 2008). The ability of
farmers to adopt technologies requires financing so as to improve production. A study by Gundu
(2006), found that the smallholder farmers lack economic capability to access and utilize relevant
agricultural information In a study conducted by Daniel (2008), on Access and Utilization of
Agricultural Information by to assess the accessibility and use of agricultural information by
smallholder farmers: the Case of Boru Meda, South Wollo Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, it was found
that, settlement category, education level, settlement orientation, innovation proneness,
production motivation, age of household head, frequency of market visits and credit access had
influence on the access to and utilization of agricultural information.

The study underlined the importance of well-organized agricultural information provision and
utilization of information through the delivery of credit and technologies based on the farmer’s
problem and need. Studies conducted by Bekele (2008) and Daniel (2008) indicated that,
distance from market had negative but significant relationship with access to and utilization of
agricultural information. This implies that the more distant farmers are located from the market
centers; the lower the likelihood of accessing information and utilize it. Similar study carried out
by Yealembirhan (2007), proximity to markets showed positive relationships with the use of
modern cultivar wheat seed at the farm level. Katungi (2006) indicated that social capital is
measured by five indicators, each capturing a different aspect of social interaction: the size of the
social network, the frequency of interaction in social institutions and civic engagement.

Access to extension services is a key determinant in the adoption and use of improved
technologies and farming practices (Ebrahim, 2006). Therefore, the frequency of extension
contact has an important role in the access to and utilization of agricultural information. Mass
media includes electronic such as radio, television and internet and print like newspapers,
magazines, posters and extension brochures (Abubakar, 2007). Mass media plays a great role in
provision of agricultural information in shortest possible time over a large area (Tadesse, 2008).

2.2 Constraint of accessibility and use of agricultural information

Ferris (2005) argues that in most African countries lack of accurate and relevant agricultural
information by small- scale farmers is a major factor constraining efforts to improve the
agriculture sector. Several Challenges facing farmers in accessing agricultural information have
been identified. For instance, Tologbonse et al. (2008) found that challenges facing farmers in
accessing agricultural information were outdated information, language barrier, lack of
awareness on existence of different information sources, lack of funds to acquire information and
poor format of information carrier. Furthermore, the study by Daudu (2009) pointed out some of
the problems encountered by farmers in Nigeria in accessing agricultural information. These
include financial problems, inadequacy of facilities or professional, incomplete or irrelevant
information.Also, Byamugisha et al. (2008), point out the challenges encountered by farmers in
Uganda when searching for agricultural information as lack of cooperation from fellow farmers
in sharing agricultural information and language barriers.

Farmer’s decision to adopt a new agricultural technology in preference to old technologies

depends on factors such as access to institutional services and in-put supply of agricultural
technologies (Khan et al., 2008). Agricultural information can only be properly exploited by
smallholder farmers who have certain levels of formal literacy. Farmers with basic education are
more likely to adopt new technology, and become more productive. Education enhances the
ability to derive, decode and evaluate useful information for agricultural production (Jemal,
2010).

Resource endowment is also one of the factors affecting farmers’ decision to adopt a new
agricultural technology (Khan et al., 2008). The ability of farmers to adopt technologies requires
financing so as to improve production. Earnings from off-farm and on-farm activities provide
ready cash for input purchases as well as other household needs. Lack of access to credit and
savings services for farmers in many rural areas limit their ability to purchase needed agricultural
technology input. A study by Gundu (2006), found that the smallholder farmers lack economic
capability to access and utilize relevant agricultural information. Katungi (2006) indicated that
social capital is measured by five indicators, each capturing a different aspect of social
interaction: the size of the social network, the frequency of interaction in social institutions and
civic engagement.

Furthermore, a study by Odini (2014) pointed out that identifying an information need is the first
step towards satisfying information needs and that the information seeking process involves a
number of steps before identifying information sources and needed information. Researcher
suggested that information systems in Africa were developed without consultation of rural
people, thus smallholder farmers lack their awareness and appropriateness. As a result they have
inappropriate collections of services that do not address their information needs. Moreover,
access, efficiency and affordability of agricultural information are the major barriers in the
farming system to uplift agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers (Murithii, 2009).
Similarly, agricultural knowledge and information system for rural development and sustainable
agriculture links farmers and institutions to promote mutual learning and generate, share, and
utilize agricultural technologies, information and knowledge to change rural livelihoods (FAO,
2010). Similarly, Babu et al. (2011) conducted a study on farmers’ information needs and search
behaviors in Tamil Nadu.

The findings from this study showed that the major constraints facing farmers in accessing
information were poor availability, poor reliability, lack of awareness of information sources
available among farmers and untimely provision of information. Additionally, Mtega and Benard
(2013) carried out the study on the state of rural information and communication services in
Tanzania. The findings from the referred study show that, poor or unreliable information
infrastructure, high illiteracy levels, low income, lack of electricity and high cost of ICTs have
limited the accessibility of information services in rural areas. The idea of Kantumaya (1992 as
quoted by Ofuoku, 2008) supports this point by stating information as power which an individual
in every society should have access to. It also means evolving strategies for overcoming barriers
to utilization of information, understanding information needs, and designing information
delivery systems. The decision making process in agriculture rests squarely on information
available to farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and policy makers. Information can best be
considered as a productive resource, potentially limiting and influencing the efficiency of
production.

2.3 Empirical studies on factor affects access and utilization agricultural information

A number of empirical studies have been conducted by different people and organization on the
adaption of difference agricultural technology both outside and within Ethiopia. On the other
hand there is limitation of empirical studies related to the factors influencing access to and
utilization of agricultural information. Therefore in this studies partly utilization of different
agricultural information is expressed in term of technology utilization because agricultural
knowledge and information can be accessed, shared and utilized through material embodied
form. The literature review mainly based on different utilization of agricultural technologies such
as cereals and horticultural crops.
 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Description of the Study Area

3.1.1 Location

Boru Meda is located in South Wollo, Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia, at about 416 Kms
north of the capital city Addis Ababa. Based on the 2007 census conducted by the centeral
statistical agency of Ethiopia.

3.1.2 Population

According to Boru Meda extension worker census, the zonal total number of population will
estimated to be 2457. From these 1436 male and remaining 1021 female. Also the kebele have
total number of 987 household. From these 642 were male headed household and remaining 285
were woman headed household.

3.1.3 Climate

Based on the relationship between elevation and temperature this kebele experience one agro
ecological zone. The largest portion of the kebele comprises 99% Dega and 1% woinadega. It is
average annual temperature is 18'c with its average annual rainfall in the area has 1150-1200mm

3.2 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

The sample for the study will be small householder’s farmers in Boru Meda, South Wollo Zone,
Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The Kebele will be purposively selected among the kebeles of
South Wollo Zone of Amhara regional state, due to high production potential for different types
of grain crops in general and wheat in particular, and due to the maximum available arable land
for grain crops, specifically a large amount of cultivated land is devoted for wheat production in
the study area. On the basis of statistical random sampling techniques of probability proportional
to size (PPS) will be randomly drawn from the list of farmers in each chosen four rural areas

3.3 Methods of Data collection and Analysis

For this study, both primary and secondary data will be collected and used, which were of
qualitative and quantitative nature. Primary data will be gathered by using pre-structured
interview schedule sample households and Methods like Focused Group Discussions and key
informants were used. Secondary data will be reviewed different documents of District Office of
Agriculture and Rural Development and other related articles. Finally, key informant interview
and FGD will be also used to support primary data. For this study, different descriptive statistical
tools were employed to analyze the generated data.

Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, max., min., SD, ranking technique, chi-
square and F- value were used. Finally, Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation and Spearman
Rho will be employed to measure strength of relationships between dependent and independent
variables. Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation (r) will be also applied to measure the degree
of association or correlation between two variables measured quantitatively (Kothari, 2003.
Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel were used for analysis of
data.

3.4 Selection of variables and measurement techniques

3.4.1 Dependent variables:

The dependent variables included in the study will be access and utilization of information on
WBPP. The indicators used in measuring the dependent variable were, frequency of access and
utilization based on the interview schedule developed by the researcher. The levels of
information access and utilization of the respondents will be measured using the score given for
respondents frequently access and utilization of information on recommended practices of bread
wheat production package. Eight activities will be identified and minimum and the maximum
frequency score of 0 and 3 was given for each activity, respectively. This makes the minimum
and maximum potential frequency score 0 and 24, respectively. However, the actual obtained
minimum and maximum frequency score for information access was 1 and 22, respectively while
the minimum and maximum score for information utilization was 1 and 20, respectively, which
were taken as a base to categorize the sample households in to three (1= low, 2= medium and 3=
high) access and utilization of information

3.4.2 Independent variables

AGE = Age of respondents (Number of years -)

EDU =1, illiterate, 2, read and write and 3 primary education, 4 secondary (+)

ON-FINC = On-Farm Income (ETB +)

OFFINC = Off-Farm Income (ETB +)

SOP = Social Participation (Score +)

D- Road = Distance of farm from main road (Km)

D- Market = Distance of farm from main market (Km)

EXC = Extension Contact (Score +) MMEXP =

Mass-Media Exposure (Score +)

4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET BREAK DOWN

4.1. Work plan
The following are major activities that the researcher will perform to accomplish the project from
identifying a problem up to writing research report with time division and whom the task will be
done.
Table 1: Time schedule for research
 4.2. Budget breakdown
In conducting research it is essential to consider the amount of budget to undertake the activities.
As much as possible to accomplish the study the minimum cost budget is indicated in table
below.

Table 2: budget break down for research

No Activities Duration of time (2023)

Jan Feb Mar Ap May Jun Jul Aug Sep
r
1 Identifying the problem ×

2 Selecting the proposal title ×

3 Literature regarding the title ×
4 Designing the research ×
No. Item unit of measure amount unit cost in birr cost in birr

51 Pen
Proposal preparation No ×4 20 80.00

62 Print
Data collection Page ×25 2.00 50.00

73 Paper
Data analysis and Page ×25 1.00 25.00

interpretation
84 CD-RW
Comment of proposalNo ×6 5.00 30.00
5 mobile card No 5 10.00 50.00
96 Final submission the No
pencil 2 2 * 4
7 proposal
flesh card 1 400.00 400.00
8 Total 639
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