Abstract:
Field level agricultural development agents are the key figures for any change in agriculture
in Ethiopia. Their motivation and job performance are therefore important in achieving faster
agricultural development of the nation. The study assessed various motivational factors and
level of work motivation of development agents working in Jaldu woreda, West Shoa zone of
Oromia National Regional State. In order to meet the purpose of this research, all the
development agents, numbered ninety nine were considered as target respondents from which
the required empirical data were collected through structured questionnaire and focus group
discussion’s checklists. Descriptive statistics and binomial logistic model were employed to
analyses data. Tests involving chi-square, t-test, and Spearman’s rho correlation were also
run to assess associations between variables of interest. Results of descriptive and inferential
analysis showed that about 54% of the development agents’ work motivation is low and need
efforts to improve. From different variables analyzed through binary logit model, the output
showed that, at different probability level, five explanatory variables, viz. promotion
opportunities, recognition, feeling of being involved, the work itself and distance of work
location were found to be significant in explaining the variability in work motivation among
development agents. To this effect, the study recommended that both the higher policy makers
and the management at the grass root organization (office of agricultural development in the
study area) should focus on the extracted significant factors for better development agents’
motivation strategy. Finally, work motivation was dependent on a number of different factors
and was subject to change so that administrators should conduct periodic needs assessment to
determine the level of motivation of DAs, identify factors influencing their work motivation
and identify methods for reducing factors which de-motivates DAs working in Jaldu woreda
