In Ethiopia's densely populated highlands, potato farming
provides both food and cash income, contributing considerably to smallholder
potato growers' food security and cash income. Ethiopian potato producers, on
the other hand, face a number of problems, including a lack of access to
improved high-yielding seed, seed tubers, and soil with a high frequency of
bacterial infections, as well as a lack of agricultural extension services. In
this study, three questions are investigated. How well do farmers understand
bacterial wilt and how it affects potato production? How enthusiastic are
farmers in taking collective/community action to combat bacterial wilt? Should
farmers rely on local knowledge or scientific guidance to better their reaction
to the condition? In 2015, the thesis was part of a wider research project
called Developing a sustainable seed potato production system for enhanced
livelihoods. The initiative is based in Chencha Woreda, in Ethiopia's SNNPR
area, and is supported by Vita and Teasasc. The thesis employs a mixed method
approach, with farmer surveys, key informant interviews, field observations,
and focus group discussions. The study took place in two separate kebeles. The
following were the study's goals: I will look into farmers' awareness of
bacterial wilt (BW), (ii) analyse farmers' willingness to participate in
collective action, and (iii) build the best-fit technological information
channels for obtaining and sharing bacterial wilt management knowledge.
BW
is the most important disease problem, according to the survey, and communities
are well aware of it. Farmers' concerns about BW are justified, as the disease
affects potato yields and poses a serious danger to potato output, food
security, and farmer profitability. There is, however, a knowledge gap in BW
management. In addition, there is inadequate data to pursue the best potato
production management practises. These deficiencies affect three groups: the
general public, farmers, and there is a special difficulty between female and male
farmers in terms of their comprehension of BW. A lack of understanding of
cultural control practises that may limit the spread of BW was identified to be
a prevalent feature in the study. Furthermore, it was determined that more than
half of the farmers tested lacked sufficient knowledge. The most significant
finding is that nearly all farmers are willing to collaborate in the fight
against bacterial wilt. Female farmers and impoverished farmers must be
regarded an unique group that requires special attention from extension
services, according to study data. Both male and female farmers require access
to information, skills, and tools in order to boost yields. Farmers' contact
with extension agents, on the other hand, was found to be low in general, and particularly
low among female farmers. Peer-to-peer learning from fellow farmers, on-farm
demonstrations, and farm visits to observe improved agronomic practises were
selected as farmers' preferred methods of learning about BW. Non-state actors /
private organisations have also been discovered to be major sources of
information on BW. Churches, chiefs, community meetings, private agricultural
firms, local FM radio, and on-farm advice services are also major information
sources in some places. According to the report, considerable farmer gains
require a combination of technical breakthroughs and collective action
activities. It also recommends that the government and non-governmental
organisations work together to help farmers, particularly women, implement BW-prevention
techniques.
Author(s) Details
Ayano Kahano Teyika
University College Dublin (Dr Monica Gorman), Teagasc(Michael Hennessy),
Ireland.
View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/AAEABWCPFE/article/view/5638
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