ASSESSING THE CHALLENGES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FARMERS TRAINING CENTERS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY THE CASE OF OROMIA REGION, WEST SHEWA ZONE JIBAT WOREDA

Abstract

This study is conducted on challenges and effectiveness of FTC in rural-development policy: The case of Jibat Woreda. Even though some researches were conducted on challenges and effectiveness in different FTC of our country it failed to capture its goal in study area. Most of these researches were only focus on its challenges. Therefore, the researcher needs to fill the existing gap and contribute some sorts of knowledge for administrators by identifying its effectiveness in the study area. In this study, the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research approach and descriptive research design were employed in order to achieve the objectives and to answer for the research questions. The researcher also employed the two categories of data source, -primary and secondary. The former was accessed from, interviews, questionnaire and FGD while the latter sources were obtained from document from different offices. In order to select sample and sample size the researcher used purposive sampling method. In this case, from all FTC (27) only focus on four were purposively selected. From of 8762households eight percent (8%) 164respondents were selected. The data were analyzed using descriptive and statistics like, tables, figures, maps and diagrams. The study indicated that training was not based on gender equality in those FTC. That means there is discrimination based on sex. As many people believe that male is superior to female this training gave priority for male. In some PAs farmers have applied in practice what they have learnt at FTCs and became business oriented. This is the opportunity to realize the objectives of FTCs training. Also the study indicated that there is strength on ability to teach farmers about different technologies by supporting with demonstration, models, samples, etc. Practically in the field of crop production and protection, animal husbandry and natural resource managements also indicated that there is linkage between the research centers and the farmers training centers. In FTCs there is lack of attractive construction that attract trainee. The walls of some FTCs house were became dirty and destroyed. This may affect the effectiveness of the training. Evaluation and monitoring is the key parameter that helps for success of any job. So that in those FTC there was a lack of good monitoring and evaluation. Based on the above finding the following recommendation was proposed. Government and society should be joint together by creating harmonize relationship. All FTC must be work together with other NGOs. Adaptation of new technology is very important for effectiveness of FTC. In addition to this Society and government must work together on construction of FTC. Generally office of agriculture must be conduct critical evaluation.