Factors influencing work motivation of development agents: The case of Agarfa and Sinana Districts, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate the work motivation level of Development Agents (DAs) in Agarfa and Sinana Districts, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia and the factors that influence their motivation to work. For this study, all the Development Agents (a census of DAs) of the two districts with a total size of 135 DAs (Agarfa district, 67 and Sinana district, 68) were included as the sample respondents. Work motivation level of DAs was measured with a self-evaluation questionnaire. For the study, a structured survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. In analyzing the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The study found that a large majority of DAs (46.7%) belonged to medium level of work motivation, followed by 28.1% and 25.2% belonging to low and high level of work motivation, respectively. The findings thus highlight the importance of the investigation of the determinant factors contributing to the poor current work motivation status of DAs in the study area. Results of the descriptive statistics showed that of the total eighteen variables considered in the descriptive analysis, seventeen predictor variables, except age, were found to be of significance in explaining work motivation level of DAs. Based on the results of the study, relevant recommendations are forwarded in this report. Therefore, concerned agricultural extension managers, process owners, extension officers and supervisors should conduct periodic assessments to determine the level of work motivation of DAs and have to plan for improvement.