Socio-economics characterization of agricultural farming system in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia: Case of AGP-II districts participatory rural appraisal (PRA) model

This paper presents the farming system dynamics in Agricultural Growth Project II  and applied a PRA model. The objective was to characterize the farming systems of AGP-II districts and identify production constraints. We investigate how historical trends have influenced the farming system, using data from desk review surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus-group discussions; key informant discussions and observations; by investigating two sample districts of AGP II; these were Ambo and Girar Jarso of Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. From each district two PAs were selected randomly applying stratified sampling techniques for AGP II districts. Findings indicate a high disparity in the characterization of wealth and status; that requires intervention to minimize gaps with agricultural technologies; the micro finance institutions have a long way to go to support the input service thought it has increased from 5% in 2012 to 8%in 2017 credit supply. Farmer training centers 65% of them aren’t  functional in Ambo district. Average yield per hectare in kg were found 3,700, 3,101, 2,800, 2,100 were for maize, sorghum, wheat and barley respectively; while the average market price per kg was 7 Ethiopian Birr which was 0.31 USD (June/2017 average exchange rate 22.91 Birr/1 USD). While tef, chickpea and lentil was 1,801, 2,300 and 1,800 respectively, with average market price per kg was 20, 24, and 21 Ethiopian Birr which was 0.9, 1.1 and 0.9 USD. So; intervention of technologies has to consider profitability and other necessary parameters. Key words: Farming system, wealth status, Agricultural Growth Program-II (AGP-II), food security, agricultural technologies.