CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN GURAGE ZONE: THE CASE OF ABESHIGE WOREDA, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abeshige woredas has faced numerous challenges in expanding private investment in agriculture sector in recent decades. The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges and prospects of private investment in agriculture sector in Gurage zone: the case of Abeshige woreda, SNNPR. Mixed research approach was adopted whereby data was gathered through questionnaire, interviews focused group discussions and also field observation. The sampling techniques chosen was census method & purposive. In these method because selected on the fact that population entries are very small and also that this method provides more accurate and exact information, Besides, they identified the woreda and zonal offices were selected purposively with intention of obtaining theperson that can provide more information about private investment in agriculture sector operating in the Abeshige woreda. A sample of 68 participants were involved in the questionnaire survey, out of the total 68 participants, 30 were investors, in these respondents were selected censes methods, because the researcher population entries very small and 38 were four respective(concerned)government institutional experts were asked accordingly. The experts were selected purposively based on their what knowledge know about research studying is more detailed than others, it gives more leverage to the researcher to perform and bring out the best information possible from the samples and it depends, judgment and also in this thesis 21 focused group participants includes, thus 13 key informants were selected purposive’ to elicit information for this study. Descriptive analysis method son frequency, percentage and graph of data analysiswere employed to analyze the surveyed data. The results of the study presented those shortages of funds to finance, poor government services delivery, presents of government related challenges and weak infrastructural development. The paper concludes that for effective private investment the in-agriculture sector, overcoming fences to promote private investment agriculture sector was crucial. It was recommended that improve government delivery service for the investors , enhancing access to finance, availability of infrastructure should be seriously improved ,should be improve government related challenges and provide more incentive packages and encourages who invest were essential to realize private investment in agriculture sector in the Study Area.