Women’s Participation in Agricultural Extension Services: Challenges and Opportunities in West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the challenges and opportunities of women’s participation in agricultural extension services in Jabithenan and South Achefer Woredas of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Using a simple random sampling technique, 225 sample respondents were recruited. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires. Eleven participants from each woreda were randomly selected for FGDs. Besides, a total of four subject-matter-specialists, six development agents, and two socio-economists were treated as key informants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results indicated that women’s participation was jeopardized by socio-cultural factors. The major ones were women’s lack of self-worth, development-agents gender biasedness’ and the community’s doubt on women’s capacity. The foremost institutional and organizational impediments were the weaknesses of “one-to-five” and “farmers development-groups”, the unjustifiable intervention of superiors in the tasks of development-agents, and the absence of community rules and bylaws for joint couples’ participation. The major economic hindrances were the expensiveness of agricultural inputs, shortage of draft oxen, and low income. Political obstacles that affected women’s participation were the excessive focus on model farmers, women’s under-representation in kebele administration, and the low dedication of women’s leagues, and civil societies working with women. Women’s participation was also affected by their perception, distance from the main road, and type of household. Despite the measures were taken over the years by the government to make them beneficiaries, lots of work is still required to address many of the hindrances that affect their participation in agricultural extension services in the study areas.