Extension agents as liaisons: connecting rural people to food security programs?

ABSTRACT This paper examined the use of extension agents in connecting rural people to food security programs in the Irob and Gulomekeda districts, in eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. This study employed qualitative research involving 50 semi-structured interviews, 10 focus group discussions, and 15 hours of personal observation. Extension agents use public meetings to transfer agricultural technologies to rural people. However, results showed that public meetings are ineffective to connect rural people to food security programs. This has limited peoples’ power to voice their concerns and restrained their agency to sanction their choices and negotiate the structures. Besides, the food security implementation procedures are not inclusive limiting people’s participation in the strategy design and strategy implementation procedures. Study results also showed that administrative challenges and personal incompetence have affected extension agents from undertaking their duties effectively. Overall, despite Ethiopia invests in agricultural extension systems, little has been achieved to improve rural food security.