DOI: 10.11648/j.sda.20260102.18 ISSN: 3142-8495

Review on the Contribution of Agricultural Advisory Services in Improving Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood in Ethiopia

Disasa Ararsa, Tesfaye Tura
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In Ethiopia, Agricultural advisory services play a crucial role in enhancing the productivity, resilience, and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This review synthesizes recent empirical and theoretical evidence on the contributions of advisory services to agricultural development, technology adoption, and livelihood improvement. Using a systematic review and narrative synthesis approach, the study examined peer-reviewed literature and institutional reports published mainly after 2020. The findings indicate that agricultural advisory services significantly promote the adoption of improved technologies, climate-smart agricultural practices, efficient input use, market participation, and income diversification. Extension approaches such as farmer field schools, demonstration plots, and digital advisory platforms have contributed to increased crop and livestock productivity, improved food security, and strengthened household resilience. Advisory services also facilitate access to market information, financial services, and collective learning opportunities, supporting commercialization and sustainable rural development. However, their effectiveness remains constrained by inadequate funding, weak institutional coordination, limited infrastructure, high extension worker-to-farmer ratios, digital access gaps, and challenges related to gender and social inclusion. The review concludes that strengthening institutional capacity, promoting demand-driven and participatory approaches, expanding digital extension, and enhancing inclusivity are essential for maximizing the impact of advisory services and achieving sustainable agricultural transformation in Ethiopia.

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