Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions on the Importance of Indigenoius Knowledge for Crop Productivity in the East Showa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract This article aimed to assess the perceived importance of indigenous knowledge (IK) for crop productivity among smallholder farmers in the districts of the East Showa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. A mixed research design involving both qualitative and quantitative data was used for the article. A sample of 125 smallholder farmers was selected using a simple random sampling technique in which the lottery method was used. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and an econometric model (ordered probit model) were used for analyzing the quantitative data. The qualitative data gathered through open-ended questions were organized, interpreted and analyzed in the form of theme descriptions. The results revealed that indigenous agricultural knowledge plays an important role in boosting crop production, but its potential is limited by inadequate literacy, poor extension support and modernization, among other factors. The model results indicated that respondent age, household size, farming experience, annual income, IK training and extension contact significantly influenced the perceived attributes of IK practices. This suggests that respondents’ personal, socioeconomic and psychological variables are among the major factors determining the perceived importance of IK for crop productivity. It is recommended that extension workers work very closely with smallholder farmers and incorporate IK practices in their extension duties, and efforts should also be made to strengthen adult literacy and diversify income sources in the studied communities.