Communication patterns among extension personnel and farmers: a case of Dire Dawa administrative council, Ethiopia

One of the most inhibiting forces to successful development is lack of effective communication within and between different actors. Likewise, communication in extension organizations takes place within the organization and outside the organization among different actors. Hence, the overall objective of the study was to assess the communication patterns among extension personnel and between farmers. The specific objectives were: to explore the relationship between personal and socio- psychological factors that affect effectiveness of communication among extension personnel and farmers; to investigate the institutional factors that affect effectiveness of communication among extension personnel and farmers; and to identify communication methods and media used by extension personnel. The research design was cross-sectional survey. The study used a multi-stage stratified sampling to select respondents. A total of 120 farmers, 30 VEWs, and 23 SMSs were selected for the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources using self administered questionnaires, interview schedule, group discussion, semi- structured interview, informal discussions, and observations. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics (percentage and frequency), chi-square, and correlation. The results of the study revealed that communication apprehension level had relation with some of personal factors of the extension personnel and weak communication existed between extension personnel and other organizations, and farmers’ contact with the extension personnel was inadequate. The results further pointed out that transportation, lack of improved technologies and relevant information, and involvement of VEWs in non-extension activities were important problems that affect communication among extension personnel and with farmers.ii Utilization of communication methods and media by the extension personnel was insignificant. Comprehensive training, establishing rural development task force, co- ordinated field visit program, and improve the work relationship to different organizations are among the recommendations drawn to improve effectiveness of communication patterns among extension personnel and farmers in the study area.

Sasakawa Africa Fund