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.
