Gender based differences in access to services and information provided by agricultural extension agents in yayyo woreda

Abstract

This study tried to investigate gender based difference in access to agricultural extension services provided by local agricultural extension agents in four kebeles of Yayyo Woreda to better understand the context at the ground and suggest ways forward to improve the disparity between male and female farmers who are household heads. Four variables; access to agricultural extension services, gender, farmers’ socio-economic background and attitude toward local extension agents were used in the study. More importantly, the study examined if access to agricultural extension services which comprises access to information, access to agricultural inputs (fertilizer, seeds and pest sides), and access to professional and technical support (training) was mainly affected based on gender difference. Moreover, the study tried to address socio-economic difference among male and female headed farmers and their attitudes toward agricultural extension services and agents as well. Using explanatory research design quantitative data from 145 respondent and qualitative data obtained through FDG and interview was analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The results showed that both male and female headed farmers had contact with local agents though men headed farmers frequently did so. Moreover, men headed farmers cultivated comparatively more land than female headed farmers and as well as used full agricultural extension service packages especially in agricultural inputs (accessing seeds, fertilizer and pest sides. Women headed farmers shown to have less resources and time to devote to agricultural activities. These resulted in lesser amounts of harvest on the part of female headed farmers. Notable difference neither was also nor found between male and female headed farmers with regard to access to information and training. Therefore, difference in access to agricultural extension services was not a direct result of gender factor. But gender indirectly affected access to agricultural extension services since men headed farmers were found in a better position in terms of socio-economic background and comparatively afford to pay for agricultural extension services especially agricultural inputs. Female headed households are expected to do both house chores and agricultural works simultaneously, so they are more responsible than male headed households. To ensure equitable access of agricultural extension services especially fertilizer, seeds and pest sides, it is important to facilitate timely credit for female headed farmers not only to buy these inputs but also to help them own oxen to improve their usage of extension services and coverage of cultivated agricultural land.