Effect of farmer field schools projects, on agricultural productivity; the case of liben chukala district east shewa zone of oromia region

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of farmer field schools projects, on agricultural productivity; the case of Liben Chukala District East Shewa Zone of Oromia region. The study was conducted for this study to employ both primary and secondary sources of dat. With employing the research design was explanatory, stratified random sampling technique; data was collected by administering questionnaire and exploring documents. The collected information of the approach is analyzed using quantitative and qualitative method of data analysis. The researcher takes a sample of 60 FFS and 60 non FFS. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and it is analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 for windows. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, correlation, and multiple regression models. The findings show that FFS farmers had high level of knowledge than non FFS farmers. This translated itself into higher average annual agricultural production yields among FFS farmers. It indicates that FFS as an approach is effective in dissemination of improved agricultural technologies in LibenChukala District. However, challenges like little or no technical and financial support for farmers after they graduate from season-long training sessions and poor linkage to other agricultural service providers affected sustainability of FFS graduates. It is recommended that policy and strategic issues related to recruitment of more extension personnel, special funding for follow ups, more engagement with private actors in agricultural production would strengthen FFS farmers to continue applying what they learn through FFS.