ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF DEVELOPMENT AGENTS: THE CASE OF KOMBOLCHA WOREDA, EAST HARARGHE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

The performance of Development Agents is an important factor for the fulfillment of agricultural extension’s goals. The job performance of the DA relies on the job satisfaction, motivation and competence of the individual DA. Performance evaluation is a key duty in extension organization to determine whether the goals of extension are achieved or not. Development Agents in the study area showed low motivation, and less communication with farmers. Moreover, farmers were not satisfied with the extension service to the required level. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the performance level of DAs and to identify factors influencing the performance of DAs in the study area. Based on different literature and personal observation, sixteen independent variables were hypothesized to affect the dependent variable ‘job performance’. Among personal factors age, sex, work experience, agriculture background, marital status, and distance from home place to working area were considered as important factors influencing DAs’ job performance. Organizational administration, supervision, interpersonal relationship, and working condition were analyzed under organizational or institutional factors. Recognition, advancement, responsibility and the work itself were analyzed under work related factors. Achievement motivation and perception about salary were considered under psychological factors. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. A survey, consisting of questionnaire, key informants interview and group discussions was carried-out to achieve the research objectives. Descriptive statistics like percentage and chi-square test were used. Moreover, an econometric ordered logit regression model was used for data analysis. The overall job performance of DAs was at 23.5, 51 and 25.5 percent at low, medium and high levels respectively. This was close to customer satisfaction survey/ key informants’ responses which was at 24.21, 48.42, and 27.37 percent low, medium and high levels of satisfaction from the extension service respectively. The results of the ordered logit regression model revealed that achievement, advancement, job background, and working conditions were significant for the job performance level of DAs. Based on research findings of this study, suitable and practical recommendations were made so that the performance of the DAs in the area could be enhanced.