Farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its implication on livestock production in mixed-farming system areas of Bale highlands, Southeast Ethiopia; Challenges and extents of Soil and Water Conservation measures in Guba-Lafto Woreda of North Wollo, Ethiopia; Evaluation of milk production performance of lactating Fogera cows fed with urea and effective micro-organisms treated rice straw as basal diet.

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 4 (3) pp. 039-049, March 2014; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897


The role of local innovations to promote improved technologies: the case of potato farmers research groups (FRGs) in Jimma and Illuababora zones, south western Ethiopia

Berhanu Megerssa Beraka 1 * , Getachew Weldemichael Abrha 1
1 Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, Ethiopia
2 Ethiopian institute of Agricultural Research, Jimma Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author E-mail: bermegber@gmail.com
Accepted 27 March 2014

Abstract

Often driven by food security and market forces, farmers in Ethiopia have been innovating for centuries. However, innovation development like FRGS has started to tap into the existing social systems only in the last few years. Similarly, there was no comprehensive study conducted on potato FRGs in the study areas. This paper is an output of research result, which analyzed the role of local innovations to promote improved potato technologies. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule involving 162 sample household heads. The result indicated that FRG participants were better involved in problem identification, prioritization, variety evaluation and dissemination than non-members were. Some of the major constraints identified from the assessment include weak linkage among stakeholders, high expectation for material incentive and poor participation of farmers in innovation system. The result also revealed that among fifteen independent variables tested, age of household heads, experience in potato farming, education level and extension service showed significant difference at 1% significant level whereas on-farm income, number of extension contact, farm distance and off-farm income showed significant difference at 10% significant level. However, the rest were insignificant. Hence, FRG approaches have assisted to improve the participation of clients in research and development activity. However, substantial support is required from stakeholders in order to improve linkage and broaden its scope.

Keywords: FRGs, Innovation, Potato, Stakeholders

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