Work Motivation of Development Agents in Agricultural Extension Services Provision in Minjar Shenkora and Ada’a woredas, Central Ethiopia

This study assessed the work motivation of Development Agents (DAs) and analyzed the major factors that might influence their motivation. The study involves a survey questionnaire of 143 DAs, key informants, and focus group discussants in Minjar Shenkora and Ada’a woredas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. While qualitative data were thematically summarized, narrated, and then interpreted for triangulation. Chi-square and F-tests were used to test the significance of the mean value differences of the categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to identify factors and to measure the degree of correlation between factor variables related to work motivation. Results of this study showed that about 69% of DAs were in a medium level of work motivation, while about 21% of them were in a low level. While analyzing the major factors affecting work motivation, promotion, recognition, competitive salary, dependable supervision, workload, and degree of involvement were highly correlated positively with work motivation of DAs at a 1% level of significance. Therefore, necessary efforts have to be made to improve the work motivation of DAs in agricultural extension organizations. Thus, concerning agricultural policymakers, extension managers, and supervisors should conduct periodic assessments of work motivation of DA’s and have to plan for improvement. Keywords: Central Ethiopia, development agent, extension services, motivation, DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/112-03 Publication date: January 31st 202