Research Article
Seed Dissemination Path-Way of Major Improved Crop Varieties and Its Related Constraints in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia
Gosa Alemu*,
Birhanu Angasu,
Jima Degaga,
Nimona Sime
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
41-46
Received:
28 October 2023
Accepted:
14 November 2023
Published:
11 December 2023
Abstract: Although agriculture remains the most contributing sector for the Ethiopian economy, its performance has been unsatisfactory and unable to meet the ever increasing demand of the increasing population due to the poor use of modern inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds and extension services which partly explain the less productivity of the sector. The study aimed to assess and map the seed dissemination pathway of major improved crop varieties and to identify the constraints in the seed dissemination pathway of major improved crops seed in west Hararghe zone. Data were collected from a total of 144 sample farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data was also collected from relevant sources from published and unpublished documents of district and zone bureau of agriculture. One FGD consisting of model farmers, agriculture experts, DAs and elders with adequate knowledge of the farming system of the area was also used to improve the accurateness of the data. The survey result showed that among the released major improved crops maize, teff, finger millet, sorghum from cereal crops; chickpea, haricot bean and faba bean from pulse crops and irish potato from horticultural crops were generated, introduced and disseminated to smallholder farmers through different stakeholders in the study area. The result of the study also indicated that insufficient quantity of seed unavailability of inputs on time, land shortage, hybrid nature of the crop, subsequent drought, lack of transportation, lack of storage space, seed quality problem, high seed price and lack of budget are the major constraints in the seed dissemination pathway. So, responsible government organizations need to give attention to the capacity building of local seed enterprises and multipurpose agricultural cooperatives, improving the extension service delivery and seed quality control and certification system.
Abstract: Although agriculture remains the most contributing sector for the Ethiopian economy, its performance has been unsatisfactory and unable to meet the ever increasing demand of the increasing population due to the poor use of modern inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds and extension services which partly explain the less productivity of the sect...
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