AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND COMPETENCY OF EXTENSION AGENTS IN ETHIOPIA

Agricultural education is an important component in the rural development of Ethiopia. It imperative in the development and utilization of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and the general potential of human resource of the country to improve productivity of agriculture. The adoption of agricultural technologies welcomed the importance of technically competent, motivated and committed development agents responsive to farmers demand. However, professionals left in the extension system are unskilled and lack appropriate competencies. This book, therefore, recognizes the importance of agricultural education for extension service and assesses the competence level of college graduates working in North Gondar of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Technical, farming and economic competencies are analyzed using appropriate methodology. Training needs of development agents has also been identified using effect size model. The results of competence level and training needs shed light on what to do employers and agricultural educators in their respective businesses.