INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF VEGETABLE FARMERS: THE CASE OF HARAMAYA WOREDA, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPA

The study set out to assess determinants of information seeking behavior of vegetable farmers and to identify the source of information for vegetable farmers in Haramaya Woreda, East Harargh zone of Oromia Regional State. The study employed multi-stage sampling procedures to select four Kebele administrations and 150 sample respondents. Primary data for this study were collected using interview schedule. Simple descriptive statistical analyses and an econometric model (Ordered Logit model) were used to analyze the data. Neighbors or friends, Progressive farmers, and Development agents are the first, the second, the third information source for vegetable farmers., Haramaya University, Woreda Office of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Kebele Administration are the fourth, the fifth and the sixth information source for vegetable farmers. Mass media, Farmers cooperatives, Training, demonstration and filled visit and NGOs are the seventh, the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth information source for vegetable farmers according to priority used. The study also found, education level, farm size, on-farm income, non farm income extension contact, social participation, innovation proneness and production motivation having positive and significant influence on information seeking behavior of vegetable farmers. The outcome of this research indicates as farmers education level, extension contact, social participation and innovation proneness increases the tendency to seek information became higher. Haramaya woreda agricultural office should arrange in service training, build networking among farmers and planning and ensuring vegetable related technical information for vegetable farmers in the study area