Abstract
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the current agricultural information management system and communication, and the gap between required and available information to extension personnel at central highland of Ethiopia. Consulting with head of districts agricultural office, 5 to 6 farmers training center (FTC) from Welmera and Ejera districts were selected randomly. 92 development agents and eleven subject matter specialist who were working in each FTC and bureau of agricultural were interviewed. And researchers also collected qualitative data. For data analysis, descriptive statistics tools were used. In the study area, 75% of development agents (DAs) and subject mater specialist (SMS) got new and updated information frequently and occasionally. Even though, more than half of the respondents know the current extension packages that are developed by Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), they lack documentation. Moreover, development agents and subject matter specialist are less satisfied on promotional opportunity and rewarding system in their organization. The overall finding of the study underlined less availability of regular trainings on new agricultural technologies, less availability of promotional opportunities and rewarding system to DA and SMS, documentation and fewer office equipment problems at FTC level in the area. Therefore, agricultural research center and Ministry of Agriculture should provide problem solving trainings on new agricultural technologies and media design techniques regularly, reconsider salary, promotional opportunities and rewarding system of DA and SMS, supervision of documentation system at FTC level, and furnishing FTC office would help to improve the current agricultural information system in the area. Key words: Development agents, agricultural knowledge, farmers training center, source of information.
Highlights
Agricultural information system can influence agricultural production and productivity in different ways
Consulting with head of districts agricultural office, 5 to 6 farmers training center (FTC) from Welmera and Ejera districts were selected randomly. 92 development agents and eleven subject matter specialist who were working in each FTC and bureau of agricultural were interviewed
Development agents and subject matter specialist are less satisfied on promotional opportunity and rewarding system in their organization
Summary
Agricultural information system can influence agricultural production and productivity in different ways It can help inform decisions regarding land, labour, livestock, capital and management. Agricultural productivity can arguably be improved by relevant, reliable and useful information and knowledge. The government of Ethiopia has planned different strategies to improve the agriculture sector in the country. Some of the strategies are opening vocational agricultural training centers, recruiting different field development agents in each peasant association and building the capacity of agricultural officers are some of the strategies to improve the agricultural sector in a country. Development agents and subject matter specialist personnel can get agricultural information from different source and use it to improve the production system of farm households. Agricultural productivity can arguably be improved by relevant, reliable and useful information and knowledge (Demiryurek et al, 2008). This study deals with assessing the effectiveness of the current information management system and communication, the gap between required and available information to extension personnel, major bottlenecks in the process of agricultural information management, and to suggest possible options on how effective and efficient information management and chain could be developed in welmera and Ejera districts
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