ABSTRUCT

Cereals are the most important food crop of the world and it provides the world with a majority
of its food calories and about half its protein. The main purpose of this study will be to evaluate
the factors that affect Sorghum productive in Mettu woreda. The objective of this study therefore,
is to find out the factor that affect the production of sorghum and changes the farm system from
subsistent method to the modern form. This proposal will be contains both quantitative and
qualitative in nature and descriptive type of data analysis is applied in the study. The farmer's
training; use of scientific farming system like improved seed and use of fertilizer
application ,irrigation, sowing on time are essential factors to enhance their production of
sorghum in the country The general objective of the the factor that affecting Sorghum production
in Mettu woreda. Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected from primary and
secondary sources to identify the factor that affecting Sorghum production in the woreda
farmers. Primary data will be collected through questionnaire from the respondents. Secondary
data will be collected from internet, reviewing and examination of documents, reports and
records of published and unpublished document. Data will be analyzed using descriptive
statistics and multiple linear regression models to solve the research questionnaire.
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1Back ground of Study

Ethiopia's agricultural sector has experienced remarkable growth, averaging 10% annually over the past decade,
outpacing population growth. Agriculture, alongside services and industry, plays a crucial role in the economy, with
the government allocating approximately 14.7% of its annual budget to this sector since 2003. Ethiopia is notable
for consistently meeting the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP)
targets, achieving a 10% increase in public investment in agriculture by 2008 and a minimum 6% growth in
agricultural production by 2015.

Despite its potential, the agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including periodic droughts, high taxation,
and inadequate infrastructure, which hinder market access. Environmental issues such as overgrazing,
deforestation, and high population density contribute to soil degradation, further reducing productivity. These
factors have historically led to food insecurity, exemplified by the devastating famine of 1984-85. Currently, over 3
million Ethiopians require annual food and humanitarian assistance.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a vital crop in Ethiopia, ranking as the second most important staple after maize. It
thrives in drought-prone areas where other crops struggle and covers approximately 1.8 million hectares. However,
sorghum production is constrained by factors such as drought, low soil fertility, insect pests (including stem borers
and shoot flies), Striga weed, and competition from weeds. The severity of these constraints varies by region; for
instance, drought and Striga are particularly problematic in northern Ethiopia.

Despite these challenges, there is significant potential for self-sufficiency in grain production and opportunities for
exporting livestock, vegetables, fruits, and grains, highlighting agriculture's critical role in Ethiopia's economy and
food security.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

African agriculture is dominantly rain-fed agriculture and as a result yields are low and farmers
can be trapped in a cycle of poverty and food insecurity for decades (Uneca,2016). Thus
agriculture as the only means of livelihood is becoming a risky occupation on this continent.
In sub-Saharan African countries like Ethiopia, where the small scale forming dominate, the
overall national economy agricultural production and productivity is very poor. The agriculture
of the economy is characterized by limited use of improved input and back ward agricultural
sector (CSA, 2017).Poverty situation of the rural population realizing on poor agricultural
productivity. Even worse as size of countries population increase per capital income gained from
the agricultural sector has been declining consequently the level of income is low and failed to
meet the food demand of the over growing population (CSA, 2019)

The major production constraints and relating coping strategy in Mettu woreda the constraints
affecting the productivity of sorghum include moisture stress, insect pests, string, farm land
shortage, poor soil fertility, disease and low yielding local cultivate in Mettu woreda

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1. General objective

The general objective of this study is to examine factors affecting sorghum productivity in mettu
woreda.

1.3.2. Specific objectives

1. To assess the major factors affecting sorghum productivity in mettu woreda.

2. To identify problems related with sorghum production in study area.

This research wants to address the following research questions.

• What is the main factor affecting sorghum productivity in mettu woreda?

• What are economic problems related with sorghum production in study area?

• 1.4 Scope of the Study

• The study will be limited to the factors affecting sorghum productivity problem related
with agriculture production in Diizii, Suulii and Burruusaa kebele.

1.5. Significance of the study

The study will be expected different important outcome for number of variable activities
regarding the factors affecting sorghum production in Mettu woreda in general and the study is
also significant for people to enable them to be aware in identifying factors affecting sorghum
output in the woreda
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEWE LITERATURE

2.1 THEOROTICAL LITERATURE REVIW

2.1.1 DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE

The word agricultural production means pertaining to agricultural connected with

husbandry or tillage of group. The primary séance in which the term agricultural is under stand
as “ager” means “field'' and couture means cultivation. The term as understand only in that
séance agricultural production world is restarted only to cultivation of the land In the struck
sense agricultural production means there by tillage of lands, sawing of seeds planting and
similar operation of land (Judicial dictionary, 2001).

2.2 Performance of agricultural in Ethiopia

Agricultural is the ministry of Ethiopia Economy it accounts for 46.3% of national a gross
domestic product 88% of export and 80% labor force. Many other economic activities depend on
agricultural including marketing pre Lessing and export of agricultural product. Both
industries and services are depending on agricultural which provides raw material generals
foreign currently for the importation of essential input and feed the fast growth population.
 2.1.3. The structure of agrarian system in the LDC

Contemporary agriculture in poor countries faces significant challenges, particularly when comparing agricultural
productivity between developing and least developed nations. There are two distinct types of farming globally:

1. Highly Efficient Agriculture: Found in developed countries, this system allows a small number of farmers to
produce enough food to feed entire nations due to high productivity and output per worker.

2. Ineffective Low Productivity Agriculture: Common in developing countries, this sector struggles to sustain its
farming population, let alone urban dwellers, resulting in minimal subsistence levels.

Additionally, agricultural technology is categorized into two groups:

• Mechanical Technology: Involves heavy machinery (tractors, combines) that saves labor but is less applicable in
less developed countries (LDCs) due to excess labor and land characteristics.

• Biological (Biochemical) Technology: Includes improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides aimed at enhancing soil
fertility and increasing output per hectare.

In recent decades, many developing countries have adopted modern agricultural technologies primarily to achieve
food self-sufficiency for their growing populations and to supply raw materials for emerging industrial sectors
(Todaro, 2019; Ibid, 2017).

2.1.4. The major factor affecting sorghum productivity

2.1.4.1. Improved input and sorghum productivity

Improved agricultural inputs are essential for enhancing farmers' productivity, yet most Ethiopian farmers rely on
local seeds. In the 2008 Maher season, 95% of improved inputs were locally sourced, often saved from previous
harvests. Research indicates that cereal crops receive more improved seeds than pulses, with only 0.4% of pulse and
5.4% of cereal land cultivated with improved inputs, highlighting low adoption rates. Farmers often perceive
improved seeds as not significantly superior to their own saved seeds.

2.1.4.2. Population growth sorghum and productivity

Population growth in Ethiopia is pushing a shift from traditional fallow systems to permanent cultivation,
necessitating the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers to maintain yields. Although fertilizer usage has increased,
evidence suggests that intensive cultivation practices are leading to nutrient depletion. As population density rises,
farmers are adopting various soil fertility management practices and improved inputs to sustain productivity and
income. These decisions on farm management, including soil fertility and cropping systems, are crucial for
agricultural sustainability (Workneh, 2016).
1.4.3. Irrigation and sorghum productivity

Although there is a considerable potential for irrigated agricultural in Ethiopia the area of
ingoted farm land is small only 0.01 percent from 8160 hectare of the total crop lands of small
farmers experience irrigated agricultural is limited. Irrigation knows how water availability
and financial capital to develop the irrigation based promotion. Irrigation development is one of
the key means of ensuring stable farm production. (Worknah2006).

2.1.4.4 Land degradation

Ethiopia faces significant land degradation due to population pressure and the cultivation of steep hillsides,
particularly in highland areas with limited arable land. This degradation is worsened by unsustainable agricultural
practices, including the over-reliance on traditional methods that fail to replenish soil nutrients, as animal manure
is often used as fuel rather than as fertilizer. Consequently, soil quality has deteriorated, affecting its biological
productivity and moisture retention. A lack of investment in land management, primarily driven by insecure land
tenure, exacerbates these issues (FDRE, 2017).

2.1.4.5 Inadequate and variable rain fall

It is fact Ethiopia agricultural is highly dependent up on unreliable rainfall which may

produce surplus only in the year of favorable weather. This is make it has not always been timely

2.1.4.6. Inadequate transport network

Transport and communication system are poorly developing country special in Ethiopia, much of
road infrastructure was also destroyed by the civil war which was waged to over the own the
former military government. Farmers produce must be carried long distance by peck animals or
by humans to locations when buyers are found. The rugged terrain has made building and
mentioning road difficult and expressive in Consumer goods are ether unavailable or sold at
high price in the rural area. The poor state of road is one of the major factors behind the
unfavorable terms of trade faced by farmer. (Ayele,2016).
 2.1.4.7. Constraint to Livestock production

The poor performance in livestock production and productivity briefly described earlier resulted
from several constraints. These could be categorized in to technical and non to technical
constraint. The main technical constrained include in adequate feed and nutrition, wide spread
disease poor animal health and poor genetic structure many of the problem result from the
reaction of different constraints technical as well as non-technical.

2.1.4.8 The physical input

Major physical input can be purchased by farmed either individual or connectively chemical
fertilizers, water, improved plant varieties tools and machines and pesticides. Irrigation is the
most important factor affecting agricultural productivity. The constraint on agricultural
development is the amount of water available rather than supply of land therefore we must use
the available water resource as it is economic to do so (Edward Kuiper, 1999)

2.1.4.9 The economic environment

The economic environment as the factor affecting of agriculture concentrates on the development
of other sector of economy. It is the intersectional linkage that is believed to be the major
determinant of agricultural growth.

2.1.5 Knowledge factor

The major advocated of importance of farmers’ education to increase the productivity of crops
and provide higher pay off in a changing, modernized than in a traditional agriculture is T.W
SCHATZ, technological advancement is the obvious difference between farmers undeveloped
countries and developing countries.
 2.2. Empirical literature review

The development of Ethiopia's agricultural market system faces significant challenges, primarily due to inadequate
infrastructure, with an average road density of only 0.44 km per 1,000 people, one of the lowest in Africa. Grain
marketing is predominantly managed by small-scale traders who have limited storage capacity, leading to issues
with price fluctuations and discouraging investment in essential inputs like fertilizers and improved seeds (FAO,
2001).

Ethiopian agricultural institutions are often reactive rather than proactive, hindering efforts to encourage farmers to
produce for the market. While targeted strategies for specific areas and farmers can be beneficial, a nationwide
approach is necessary alongside complementary measures (Befkadu, 2001). For long-term productivity
improvement, agricultural research and the adoption of appropriate technologies are crucial. A robust agricultural
extension system should provide technical assistance and training tailored to local conditions, focusing on the
profitability and adaptability of technologies in specific agro-ecological contexts (Ibid, 2001).

.CHAPTER 3

Methodology and Data source of the study

3.1 Description of the study Area

Mettu is one of the 13 woreda in Illu Aba Bora zone of Oromo regional state. It is located as the
distance of 600 km from Addis Ababa. It is geographically situating between 29° 57' 41''E
longitude and 8° 31' 11''N latitude. It's altitude ranging from 1550 to 1670 meters above sea
level ( masal ) and it is bordered by Becho woreda in the south , Ale woreda to the west , to the
north by Nopha woreda , to the east by Hurumu and by the Bure woreda to the southwest.

The major economic activity of this woreda will mixed crop and livestock production the crop
produce in the woreda was major producer of maize, Sorghum (agadda) and vegetables chat and
vegetables are important cash crop lives stock is cattle, goat, and sheep, etc.

3.2 Method of data collection

informal survey will be conducted first to have a better insight and identify the major area of
concern in Mettu district. PRA (participatory rural appraisal) tools such as group discussion,
observation and semi-structured interview of key informants will be employed as tools for
generating information during this survey.
 3.3 Sampling technique and sample size

Taking rural HHs as a basic sample unit, a multi stage random sampling will be adopted for
selection of desired sample respondents. At the first stage, because of time and financial
constraints, from 29 Woreda, Diizii Woreda will be selected. Secondly, for the same case, the two
rural kebele (Suulii and Burruusaa) will be selected out of the other Sorghum producer kebele
because the total production and adoption of improved Sorghum verities is more in these two
kebele than others. In the third stage since the numbers of HHs in each Rural Keble
Administration (RKA) is different, 1361 respondents (rural HH heads) will be selected using
probability proportionate to size and simple random samplings. The simple random sampling
will be used as an appropriate technique because it avoids bias of representative and all people
in the population have an equal chance of being selected (774 households from Diizii, 432
households from Suulii, and 155 households from Burruusaa).

N = total number of household in three levels

e = error term

e=0.1

N =1361. 1361/1+1361(0.1)2 = 1361/14.61 =93

n = N/1+N (e) 2

Ni= (n/N) Ns, where, Ni=number of observation (sample) in the one (single) kebele

n=number of household (hh) in one kebele

N=number of household (farmers) in the 3 Keble Ns=the sample size.

Keble Household Sample of the

Keble

Diizii 774 55

Suulii 432 28

Burruusaa 155 10

Total 1361 93
 3.4 Methods of data analysis

After data will be collected the data would be analyzed and interpreted by different data
presentation systems. They will be presented and interpreted by using descriptive method and
simple statically tools such as table and percentages.

3.4.1. Econometrics Analysis

Linear regression model will be used to determining factors affecting Sorghum productive in the
study area. The dependent variable in factor affecting Sorghum productive will be influenced by
various independent variables.

Independent or explanatory variables,The explanatory variables in this study will influence on

the factor affecting Sorghum productive

CHAPTER 4
4. TIME SCHEDULE AND COST BUDGET

working plan table

No Activity September October

1 Title selection •

2 Data coding and editing •

3 Data analysis •

4 Proposal submission •

4.3 Budgeting

Table; Stationery and consumable expense

Item Unit Unit Amount of Total price

price required
 Paper Packet 200 1 200

Pen Number 15 4 60

Memory card Number 150 1 150

Photo copy Page 1 120 120

Telephone Card 1 100 100

Internet Mb 50 50

Total 362 276 680

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