Challenges and Opportunities in the Oil Seeds and Grains Productions in Humera: A Multiple Case Study

Abstract

The challenges and opportunities in the commercial oil seeds and grain production have attracted the attention of researchers in developing countries. There are findings on the challenges in the performance of the sector. There is research gap in Policy interventions required on how to solve the challenges and boost opportunities in the Oil seeds and grains productions in Humera. In this regard, the study intends to document the perceptions of the different actors and stakeholders (SHs) on how to solve the challenges on the existing arrangements within the agricultural products value chain for an effective designing and implementing a competitive agricultural value chain in Humera. The problem is that although there are many researches that document the challenges of agricultural value chains in different parts of our country (For example: Sorsa, 2009, Zerihun, 2012, and Girar development consult, 2014), there is little evidence on how to solve the barriers of the existing agricultural value chains. To this end, this study intends to fill the knowledge gap on effective agricultural value chain development in Humera. In doing so, a multiple case study has been applied to compare and contrast the divergent and convergent opinions of Farmer investors (FIs) and key stakeholders (SHs) in Humera. The unit of analysis in this study is the farmer investors (FI) or and the stake holders (SH) in Humera agricultural value chain. Qualitative data was based on insights derived from in-depth interviews and focus group discussion with the identified participants. Data collection was achieved with a purposeful sample using a snowball and chain sampling strategy. Data for triangulation for the study findings was also collected through observational field notes and a quality audit through subject matter experts’ examination on the data and archived documents. The major findings of the study is that most of the farmers in Humera are not getting the necessary support and attention for the effective performance of their businesses and unless concerted efforts are made through relevant policy interventions the sector is in a very difficult situation.