A multi-stage sampling was employed to identify households. In the first stage 9 districts (five form Oromyia region, three from SNNP region and one from Benshangul region) were selected purposely. Accordingly, Bako Tibe, Gubuesyo, Shalla, Dudga, Adami Tullu, Mesrak Badawacho, Meskan, Hawassa Zuriya and Pawe selected. As the program focused on maize based farming system, maize production and agro-ecology was used as an important criterion to select districts and villages. Seven districts (Shalla, Dudga, Adami Tullu, Mesrak Badawacho, Meskan, and Hawassa Zuriya) fall under low potential agro-ecology zone characterized by low and erratic rainfall, while the remaining districts fall under high potential zone with adequate rainfall. In the second stage a total sample of 74 Peasant Associations (PAs) as shown in the survey summary document in the main project summary page were selected randomly with probability proportional to household size.
