Abstract:
Proper delivery of Agricultural extension service has a vital role since agriculture determines
the fate of poverty reduction and economic growth. This study was conducted in Alefa district
with an objective of to assess factors affecting services delivery and technical competency of
Agricultural agent’s: A total of 120 Agricultural development agents were selected to collect
data through structured questionnaire supplemented with key informants’ interview and focus
group discussion. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Results of the
study showed that work environment and incentives were including unavailability of vehicle,
unrespectable condition of award and allowance, field supervision, and periodic meeting were
importantly factoring for agent’s services delivery. The challenges that impaired agent’s services
delivery were bicycle, motorcycle. Moreover, availability of allowance unavailability of funds for
supervision and poor allocation of budget to accomplish all operations work were also a
challenge for Agricultural development agent’s services delivery. Availability of house, office,
stationery, teaching aid, FTC demonstration establishment and doing work within ability were
the opportunities. Even though, the average technical competency of development agents was
4.03 and above the average rate of technical competency. Overall, technical competency level is
more than average; there is variation in technical competency among certificate, diploma and
degree holder development agents. Recommendations include transport accessibility due
attention to address the challenges and maximize the prevailing opportunities and upgrading
education level of development agents.
