Social Networks and Diffusion of Agricultural Technology

Ethiopia has been implementing a resettlement program, starting from 2003 in different parts of the country by mobilizing people from the drought-prone areas to the relatively unpopulated fertile low land areas. However, when communities relocate from their point of origin to resettlement site, they lose their social capital (mutual support, social networks) and this is especially true in case of women. Social networks have important role in accessing and using technology and play crucial role in facilitating diffusion of technology. So, this book reports the roles of social networks in facilitating or hampering technology diffusion in resettlement areas and has been intended to throw light on the existing formal and informal social networks among re-settlers. This book is expected to contribute to the understanding of social networks which will help design appropriate and relevant interventions by the agricultural research, extension and other development process aiming at benefiting the majority of Ethiopian farmers.