Opportunities and Constraints in Agricultural Production in Ambo Woreda, Ethiopia
Abstract: Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy. In spite of its import- ance in the national economy, however, it has so far remained only at subsistence level, bringing about an insignificant change in living standards or improvement in the life-styles of rural Ethiopia. The present study was undertaken to find out what constraints the farmers of Ambo Woreda, (smallest administrative level), in Oromya region, faced in their farming activities. Ambo Woreda is one of the surplus crop-producing woredas of West Shewa zone of Ethiopia. The period covered by the study was from the second week of July to the end of August 1999. The major findings of the research include: Population growth rate of the study area (4.4%) was higher than the national average (2.9%), which resulted in population pressure and, hence, land fragmentation at household level which was further aggravated by declining soil fertility and increased deforestation; low on-farm income due to low productivity. About 20% of the farmers do not own oxen, and 22% of the farmers have only one ox. This fact suggests that farmers face a draught power shortage to perform farming operations. The supply of improved crop seeds and livestock 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 termination of state subsidies, increased transport costs and devaluation of local currency which resulted in decreased production.