Women`s Participation in Modular Training Programs

Farmers Training Center based modular training was designed by Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to produce skilled farmers that can transform the country¿s agricultural production from subsistence to market oriented production system. However, women participation in the training found to be low due to social, economic and cultural barriers in the study area. Participants and Non-Participants in the training were selected using systematic random sampling method. The study results revealed that family labor, information seeking behavior and extension contact had significant and positive influence, while women reproductive role and distance of residence from the center significantly and negatively influence on women farmers participation in modular training. The result from qualitative data revealed that illiteracy, lack of facilities, lack of awareness and absence of needs assessment were the challenges of women farmers participation in the training. Therefore, policy makers and NGOs should address barriers of women participation in modular training and the challenges of women farmers in modular training programs in Farmers Training Centers.