ISSN 2360-798X
Abstract
Accepted 2nd January, 2015
Transforming Ethiopian agriculture from its current subsistence orientation into market orientated production system forms the basis of the agricultural development strategy of the government of Ethiopia. The agricultural extension service is one of the institutional support services that have a central role to play in the transformation process. Agricultural extension in Ethiopia has remained one of the prime movers in the development of agriculture and invariably in the rural development. This paper reviewed the role of extension services in the development of agriculture and rural transformation in Ethiopia. It is the belief of this paper that no nation will have real growth in the agricultural sector without effective extension service. It is also the belief of this paper that total eradication of agricultural development problems can be achieved through extension service approach if the role of extension is properly conceived and effectively administered.
Keywords: Agricultural transformation, extension service, prime mover, central role