Opportunities and Constraints in Agricultural Productionin Ambo Wereda, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy. In spite of its importance in thenational economy, however, it has so far remained only at subsistence level bringingabout an insignificant change in living standards and improvement the life-styles of ruralEthiopioa. The present study is undertaken to find out what constraints the farmers ofAmbo wereda, (smallest administrative level) in Oromya region, faced in their farmingactivities. Ambo wereda is one of the surplus crop-producing weredas of West Shewazone of Ethiopia. The period covered by the study was from the second week of July tothe end of August 1999. The major findings of the research include: Population growthrate of the study area (4.4%) was higher than the national average (2.9%), which resultedin population pressure and hence, resulted in land fragmentation at household level andwas aggravated by declining soil fertility and increased deforestation; low on-farmincome due to low productivity. About 20% of the farmers do not have any ox and 22%of the farmers have only one ox. This fact suggests that farmers face a drought powershortage to perform farming operations. The supply of improved crop seeds andlivestock breeds was still at a very low level; The prices of inputs such as fertilizer,herbicides and improved crop seeds and breeds have increased due to removal ofsubsidies, increased transport costs and devaluation of local currency which resulted indecreased production.