Checklist for Woreda Offices of Agriculture: Extension Desk

1. How soil health and fertility management is integrated into your woreda’s
extension services?
2. What specific extension packages or approaches are used to promote soil
health practices?
3. How do you train and update extension agents on soil fertility management
technologies?
4. What role do demonstration plots or farmer field center (FTC) play in
promoting soil input use?
5. How do you ensure extension messages align with national or regional soil
health policies?
6. What monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to track adoption of
soil health practices?
7. How do you address farmers’ knowledge gaps on organic fertilizers,
biofertilizers, lime, and other soil inputs?
8. What challenges do you face in delivering soil health-related extension
services?
9. How is gender and youth inclusion considered in soil health extension
activities?
10.How do you collaborate with research institutions (EIAR, RARIs, ATVETs) on
soil health and fertility issues?
11.What mechanisms exist for transferring research findings into extension
packages?
12.How often do research and extension teams meet or communicate to align
priorities?
13.Can you share examples of successful soil health technologies or practices
that were introduced through research–extension collaboration?
14.How do farmers’ feedback and local experiences get communicated back to
researchers?
15.What gaps exist in the current research–extension linkage for soil health?
16.What capacity-building or resource support would strengthen the linkage?
17.How is the private sector or NGOs involved in research–extension
collaboration at the woreda level?
18.What opportunities do you see for improving the integration of research
outcomes into your extension system?
Checklist for Woreda Offices of Agriculture: Natural Resource Management
(NRM) Desk

1. How is soil health and fertility management integrated into NRM activities in
your woreda?
2. What extension methods are used to promote soil fertility management
practices for farmers?
3. How do you involve farmers, including women and youth, in planning and
implementing soil health interventions?
4. What role does the NRM unit play in promoting Integrated Soil Fertility
Management at community level?
5. What are the main challenges in reaching all farmers with soil health
extension services?
6. What soil fertility inputs (e.g., compost, manure, lime, liquid fertilizer,
biofertilizers…..) are commonly used in the woreda?
7. How accessible and affordable are these inputs for smallholder farmers?
8. What challenges exist in ensuring a timely and adequate supply of soil
inputs?
9. How does your office collaborate with research institutions on soil health and
fertility issues?
10.How are new soil fertility technologies or practices from research introduced
and tested in your woreda?
11.To what extent are farmers involved in on-farm trials or demonstrations
related to soil health?
12.How do you collect and share soil fertility data with research or Zonal offices?
13.Are there coordination platforms or committees in the woreda focusing on
soil health?
14.How effective are these platforms in aligning stakeholders and interventions?

What policy or regulatory gaps do you see at woreda level, and what changes would
help to improve soil health management?
 FEMALE FGD AT OROMIA REGION WEST GUJI ZONE ABAYA WOREDA DEBEKA KEBELE

1. Can you briefly describe your farm, crops grown, and household members
involved in farming?

In ancient time, farmers have ox. They plough their land with ox. They change their
life and teach their child's by this practice. By now farmers have no ox. They used to
zero tillage for their farms. There is no ox. Farmers of Debeka Kebele suffering
more. Their life is dependent on farming but they couldn't able to plough their
lands. They used to sharpen material for ploughing land. Their farm was not utilized
well and it is not giving what it able to give. The farmers are surviving relying on
God, their living is the will of God.

The seed grown on Debeka Farmers farms include Maize, teff, wheat, coffee, hari
been coat, Enset and etc. Before the weather condition was good but now it is
changed resulted in low productivity.

All families involved in farming directly and indirectly. Majorly the household head is
involved in farming. The youth in some household home participate in farming but
not at all. Females prepare food and coffee for the household head. Girls

2. Who makes decisions about what input to use and when?

The decision maker about soil input to be used is mainly household head. Families
are involved but the main decision maker is household head. The process looks like
that: Household head think about what to be used and inform the family members.
The family members accept what he decides and prepare anything which is needed
for that soil input. For example, if the farmers decide to purchase inorganic
fertilizers, The family sell seeds and animals to purchase this inorganic soil inputs.
The participation and involvements of family is in this context. In other dimension
the household head made the decision related to soil inputs when they are
preparing their land for farm. At the time of farming, before starting farming and
some times before a year of starting farming.

3. What soil fertility management practices do you currently use (e.g., compost,
manure, fertilizers, vermicompost, crop rotation, ISFM, liquid fertilizer)?

Compost, manure, crop rotation, and crop residue are the soil fertility
management practice the Debeka kebele farmers are using currently.

Though the farmers have no vast area to plough they have their own farm land.
For their farmland they prepare compost basically. They start preparing compost
before three months. In preparing compost, they do some steps. They collect
any household wastes, mixing with animal dung and manure they add to the
hole they already prepared to do so. After three moth they will use that compost.

Rotating crops is done by planting one crop in a field for a season, and then planting
a different crop in that same field the next season. This helps control insect,
disease, and weed infestations by limiting crops' existence to one season in a
designated field every few years. It is highly practice by Debeka Farmers specially
after they get extension service from the development agents of the kebele
Animal dung and manure was what they practice throughout their life unknowingly
and knowingly.
Terracing is the other method the Debeka farmers used to protect the soil erosion.
Indirectly they are about to improve soil health and fertility. By doing so the flood
couldn’t erode their farm land easily. What they prepared is stay there and the seed
they sow will get the nutrient it wants.
Crop residue is another practice which is practiced for soil fertility currently. It is a
process done at off season. The residue burst into flames and fertile the land. The
worms eat the residue and changed the eroded land to fertile land.
Using ISFM is very low at Debeka Kebele of Abaya Woreda. Just it is too low.
Farmers is only used compost, no integration. Even when they use, it is used
separately.
4. How did you learn about these practices (e.g., extension agents, fellow
farmers, training programs)?

The farmers learnt and understood the practice of soil fertility management they
are currently using from the development agent of the kebele and from different
training given at kebele level.

Nongovernment organizations provided a lot of training with the line of farming at

general level and soil fertility management specifically. So the kebele farmers
supported by different sectors in the improvement of soil health and fertility.
NGOs(Ethiotalent) gave a lesson on how to sow their seed, on intercropping, on
terracing, how to prepare compost, how to use compost, its time and amount. They
gave deep understanding for Debeka Kebele. The DAs walk through the farm of
farmers and show them the amount of compost to be used. They analyze soil
composition, fertility, and its interaction with plants and the environment. They
actively follow what is going on with the farmer’s crop. Generally, the extension
agents are actively reaching the farmers of the Debeka kebele with the extension
services.
After the farmers got the extension service from development agent farmers
improved their productivity in general and soil health and fertility in particular.
There is a bold change. After all the farmers are gratified with the support of
development agent and thanked them.
5. How accessible are extension services in your area? Are there barriers for
women or youth to access these services?
Yes, the extension service is accessible for all farmers in Debeka Kebele.
Nothing was done for women and youths hugely . They give the extension
services for household heads mainly . There is a culture in Guji. Females do in
home only. She has no the energy needed for farming that, she have too
 prepare food and make a coffee for her husband. That is why the
development agent focus only on male farmers. Plus, the youths are
independently doing their own business which is not agriculture. Youths are
not practicing and involved in farming so that they are not getting the
extension services. This is not fact for all youths but. The youths those are
participating on farm is getting the extension service. But when someone see
the aggregate of youth and women in inclusion it is very low.

6. Have you participated in demonstration plots, farmer field schools, or

participatory planning for soil fertility management? What was your
experience?

The female farmers didn’t participate on demonstration and also farmers field
school. Females can’t go and see on demonstration. Some times when the NGOs
comes for training the female farmers participates.

The participatory planning is there. The farmers decide what to sow, the input type
to be used. They just discuss with their family and decide everything related to soil
health and how to improve the soil fertility fertility. But here the Extension service
provider give them an advice on how to do. So that the farmers are the initiator.
They participate on participatory planning. but on all of their steps they seek a
support and accept what the top level recommend them.

Once up on a time, one farmer’s productivity was declined. After that this farmer
and all family members discussed about the case and understand as it was because
of soil erosion. The family discussed how to solve the problem. The household head
directed families as preparing a compost is a best solution for the case. All families
accepted the direction and prepared a compost and they used for their farm. As a
result, their productivity was improved when they compare with the previous one.
The family learnt that as a participatory planning was advantageous and the y are
practicing this now and for the future too.

7. What suggestions do you have for improving extension support for soil
health?

In their discussion, female farmers of Debeka kebeles recommended that as the

development agents support them on using crop residue and terracing. The
farmers are a witness as this two practice is very important for improving soil
fertility. They have been tested and seen the advantage of this practice. But the
whole communities are not practicing them there fore they strongly seek the
support of extension for crop residue practice and terracing

To improve soil health and fertile their farmland the farmers seek a lot of
supports They seek a support in inorganic fertilizer (DAP, urea and NPS). They
 seek an improved seed and animal variety from extension services in general
term.

Access to information about the proper use and benefits of new practices is a
binding constraint for small-scale farmers in many low-income settings, leading
to lower realized yields and profits so that farmers need information to assess
the suitability of new technologies and make optimal farming decisions. This is
especially important given that agricultural updates may have different levels of
risk depending on local plot characteristics and input choices, making it difficult
for farmers to predict production outcomes on their own plots without reliable
information.

There are animals around Guji. The Guji farmers easily prepare the compost. So
that they seek the extension service support on how to prepare compost. The
farmers are seeking an extension support on availability and price of inorganic
fertilizers. Farmers have no capacity to purchase inorganic fertilizer. But their
farm plots are dependent on inorganic fertilizers. They eagerly seek as the price
of inorganic fertilizers (DAP, Urea.and NPS) is minimized. As of this kebele
information the price of DAP for one quantal is around eight to nine thousands.
Many farmers can’t afford it. That is why farmers are suffering and disrupted.
Therefore, they are hugely seeking the support of government in this context.

8. What types of soil inputs (organic, inorganic, biofertilizers, lime, etc.) do you
currently use?

The types of soil inputs currently used by Debeka farmers includes:-

 Organic fertilizers like that of

 Compost
 Vermi compost(only some farmers)
 Animal dungs
 Manure
 House waste
 Crop residue
 Ash

Inorganic fertilizer( DAP, Urea, NPS) are used currently to low extent

This kebele farmers are not using bio fertilizers and lime rign now.

In this context the soil inputs are not used and utilized as it is needed. All farmers
are not using what is mentioned above properly. For example, those farmers using
DAP only used for culture. The right rate is not applicable there.

9. Where do you obtain these inputs (agro-dealers, cooperatives, markets,

government programs)?
Farmers obtain the organic fertilizers from their own production and activities. None
of institution or dealers are supplying the organic fertilizers for this kebele farmers.
The inorganic fertilizers are supplied by cooperatives. Cooperatives are established
at Woreda level. When farmers need inorganic fertilizer they inform the kebele.
Their need is specifically described. The needs of farmers are approved by kebeles
After that the kebele transferred their need to cooperatives. Cooperatives (KELALTU
TEJAJILA MERA ASSOCIATION AND GOANGOA COOPERATIVES ASSOCIATION) make
ready as of the farmers need and going to the Woreda farmers get that fertilizers.

There is also the availability of this fertilizer (DAP) on the market. Specially many
farmers of Debeka Kebele buy a fertilizer from the market (WONAGO MARKET).
There is a measurement what we call Glass in tradition and one glass cost around
thirty-three birr. Three glass become one kilogram. By this context the price of one
kilogram become around one hundred birr.

10.What challenges do you face in accessing, affording, or using soil inputs?

The challenges the Debeke Kebele farmers include not getting on time. The
transportation problem, affordability issue. Farmers couldn’t afford for the price
of soil inputs (inorganic fertilizers). One quantal cost around eight to nine
thousands. Because of these farmers can’t use inorganic fertilizers. As a result
the productivity become very low.

11.How do you decide the type, timing, and quantity of inputs applied on your
farm?

This kebele farmers are deciding the types of inputs applied on their farm. They
decide to use compost, DAP, Urea or NPS. But the farmers have a question on
the color of DAP. Before a year the color of DAP they used was black but this
year color was white.

The quantity is decided by farmers as of their capacity. Their capacity decides

the amount to be used. Who have a capacity purchase and use for his plot but
one who has no comes to prepare the compost. Even in compost preparation
one can produce the required amount(1timad= three quantals) but not others.
The farmers decide the timing of soil input used. For example, DAP is applied
when sowing and Urea is used weed time.

12.Are there any input products you wish were available locally?
 There is a waste of Banana that is mixed with other wastes (coffee
waste). This waste is mixed with other waste products and become
burst into flames. The waste of hens also the locally available inputs
that is practiced by Debeke Kebele.
13.Have you ever participated in on-farm trials, action research, or validation of
new soil fertility technologies?
  In general, there is no new technology that was/is innovated and deployed
for the kebele. Nothing was validated. Farmers never tried on the
validation of new technologies. And also they didn’t participate on action
research since the female farmers are neglected. But some trials are there
if it is counted as research. there are different coffee types. The one with
corrosion is going to dry without giving a yield. The one that was planted
on fertile land is On the case Extension agent comes from the woreda
gave the farmers a training and the farmers solved the case depend on
the training they had by the time. For that matter the farmers can say
that some trials are done at Debeka kebele while observed in the context
of action research.
 Farmers has been participated on farm trials. There is FTC at kebele level.
On FTC Development agents show a farmer what to be done. Example
how to prepare the compost. There are also a clusters that can be an
exemplary for all farmers. Farming is done cluster by cluster.
14.How do researchers or extension agents involve you in testing or learning
about new soil fertility practices?
 The new soil fertility practice is compost and vermicompost
preparation. The Debeka extension Agent involve the kebele farmers in
testing this new fertility management practice since farmers are the
main actors.
 All the times the extension agents encourage the participation. There
is a calling when they test new soil fertility management. Attending the
call of extension agent farmers learn what to be learnt in action.
15.How could the collaboration between research, extension, and farmers be
improved to help you adopt better practices?

 There is no research here at Debeka Kebele, but there is strong bond

between farmers and extension agents in adopting best practice. The
Debeka farmers are willing to do every advice that is given by
extension agents of the kebele.
 The farmers are very ready to improve their productivity. As far as the
extension agents are standing to serve them the farmers are willing
and eager to accept what was told to them, therefore the collaboration
between extension and farmers too strong.
16.Are you aware of any local or national policies, programs, or initiatives
supporting soil health and fertility management?
 Farmers are not aware the policy that was developed. But the farmers
hear certain advice that was communicated by development agents.
They heard how to improve fertility. But at policy, programs and
initiative level farmers have no awareness. They don’t know any
initiatives which support soil health and fertility management. Females
are neglected.
17.How do you get information about government programs, subsidies, or input
support?
 The information about soil input and farming method is communicated
with farmers in person. The development agent communicates each
farmer’s door to door. The farmers of this kebele doesn’t know as
some subsidies and government programs are there in depth but they
are getting the information related to soil input from their husband and
Development Agent of the kebele.
18.What changes would help make soil inputs more available, affordable, and
effective for smallholders, especially women and youth?
 The farmers are expecting as the soil inputs are supplied at the right
time. Specially farmers are warning the price of inorganic fertilizers. As
of their concern the price should be adjusted matching the potential of
farmers. Poor farmers are living matter. The farmers are
recommending as the road and transportation facility be made for their
kebele’s. While they want a soil input they move from their destination
to the woreda by their bare foot which takes them beyond six hours, so
they are seeking a road and transportation.
 The farmers recommend that as the development agent incorporates
women and youths in all of their programs.
 The transportation to woreda is too expensive. To sow a seed farmers,
want the soil input but the soil input found at woreda level. To get this
soil input(any of soil input) farmers must go to the Abaya
Woreda( Guangua city). When they back to their farm plots the
weather is changed, the rain is stopped and everything is not as a
before. So that to sow seeds effectively farmers need the availability of
soil input to their destination
 Generally, farmers of this woreda hotly warn and ask the government
as the availability, affordability and transportation issue should be
solved timely, unless they are about to die with their children mid-day.
Closing Questions
19.What opportunities do you see for improving soil fertility management in your
community?
 The opportunities which found in Debeka Kebele is like that of
willingness of farmers to implement what is told to them in the line of
soil health and soil fertility.
 The peoples of Guji have a culture to give a milk when somebody ask
them a water, so that the farmers welcome any guest and projects
with bright face while they come to invest on soil.
 The soil of Debeka kebele can be easily treated because each inputs
which is used for treatment is available here in the woreda
 Farmers can easily adopt the new fertility practice like that of compost
because they can get the input used for compost preparation from
their areas.
  The kebele is stable and peace
 Farmers are motivated to change themselves.
20.Is there anything else you would like to share about soil inputs, extension
services, or research collaboration?
The life of farmers is dependent on farming. All the time farmers are looking
for improvement. So that government and non-government organization
should support the farmers. The government should encourage the farmers
as they fertile their farm plots. As a general peace is needed. Government
and society should do what is expected from them in securing peace. The
other issue is the farmers have no ox as a before. Even the rent of ox is very
expensive. For hour farmers are renting for six hundred birr. so that farmers
are looking for support in getting ox from government and different charity
groups.
Generally the farmers of Debeka kebeles are very ready to improve soil
fertility every time, so each and every institution those are planning to help
the areas are very welcomed by the farmers of this area.