International Journal of Agricultural Science Research Vol. 5(1), pp. 001-018, February 2016 Available online at http://academeresearchjournals.org/journal/ijasr ISSN 2327-3321 ©2016 Academe Research Journals Full Length Research Paper Factors influencing work motivation of development agents: The case of Agarfa and Sinana Districts, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia Debebe Cheber Bezu 1 *, Eric Ndemo Okoyo 2 and Jemal Yousuf Hassen 2 1 Arba Minch University, P.O Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. 2 HaramayaUniversity, P.O Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Accepted 16 November, 2015 This study sets out to investigate the work motivation level of Development Agents (DAs) in Agarfa and Sinana Districts, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia and the factors that influence their motivation to work. For this study, all the Development Agents (a census of DAs) of the two districts with a total size of 135 DAs (Agarfa district, 67 and Sinana district, 68) were included as the sample respondents. Work motivation level of DAs was measured with a self-evaluation questionnaire. For the study, a structured survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. In analyzing the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The study found that a large majority of DAs (46.7%) belonged to medium level of work motivation, followed by 28.1% and 25.2% belonging to low and high level of work motivation, respectively. The findings thus highlight the importance of the investigation of the determinant factors contributing to the poor current work motivation status of DAs in the study area. Results of the descriptive statistics showed that of the total eighteen variables considered in the descriptive analysis, seventeen predictor variables, except age, were found to be of significance in explaining work motivation level of DAs. Based on the results of the study, relevant recommendations are forwarded in this report. Therefore, concerned agricultural extension managers, process owners, extension officers and supervisors should conduct periodic assessments to determine the level of work motivation of DAs and have to plan for improvement. Key words: Work motivation, development agents. INTRODUCTION Agriculture remains as the mainstay of the economy contributing on average about 45% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 85-90% of export earnings of Ethiopia. The dynamics of population growth, low productivity, compounded with some other factors have remained major bottlenecks to economic growth and poverty reduction for the country (FAO, 2008). In general, the livelihood of more than 85% of the work force in the country is based on agriculture. Although the main source of the national earnings is obtained from this sector, the sector is dominated by traditional, subsistence and fragmented type small holder farmers (Alene et al., 2000). In this regard, improving the performance of the agricultural sector is crucial for fast development of the country‟s economy. Among many problems that confront human kind today, hunger is the greatest of all problems. Now with the changing agricultural scenario and perspectives in the world, the time is ripe for making the need based appropriate extension strategy by which information on agricultural production technology may be transmitted to all the potential users who can adopt those and produce food for their consumption and make available for others (Samanta, 1991). For national progress to occur, change in *Corresponding author. E-mail: debebec2012@gmail.com. Tel: +251-0913-177930.