The Government of Ethiopia concentrates on agricultural and rural development for its economic development. Dairy development is one of the components of agricultural development. To improve dairy production in a certain locality, dairy producers should be able to access and use appropriate knowledge for a particular problem at the right time. This research was conducted to assess the agricultural knowledge management system in Bure district. Primary and secondary data were collected from primary (i.e., dairy producers and experts of different Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist) and secondary sources (literature reviews). The survey reveals that maintaining the health of animals, providing green pasture to their milch cows, animal selection and using crossbreed cows are the major mechanisms used by dairy producers to improve milk production in the district. This knowledge/mechanism was obtained from Woreda Agriculture and Rural Development Office (WARDO), their own experience, neighbors, family, by observing the activities on a farm, and listening to radio, and from sharing sessions and on-farm demonstrations. A majority of the dairy producers use the new knowledge with partial modification. They also transfer the knowledge to their neighbors, friends, relatives and children. Therefore, the concerned bodies should promote and strengthen the existing good practices in knowledge management processes.

The Government of Ethiopia gives high priority to agriculture and rural development as an engine of pro-poor growth. Enhancing agricultural productivity, increasing the commercialization of smallholder surpluses and reducing rural poverty are the cornerstones of the government’s strategy towards economic growth, i.e., agriculture development-led industrialization (Spielman et al., 2008). Agriculture is pivotal to Ethiopian economic development. According to Teklu (2008), it contributes on an average 46% of the real GDP and 85% of export earnings, and employs about 85% of the population; and about 85% of this population lives in rural areas and practices subsistence agriculture and livestock production. Therefore, the development of Ethiopian agriculture will have a direct impact on the overall development of the country.

Increasing the milk production from cattle and buffaloes is a national priority in most developing countries because milk is one of the most important foods in human nutrition (Devendra, 2007). To achieve this, the developing countries introduced improved exotic breeds into their country. Besides, for a long period, various research activities have been carried out on livestock, particularly in dairy production development, in regional, national and international research institutions to generate knowledge/improved technologies, which mostly remained in the research centers, rather than reaching the end users.

Among other developmental resources, appropriate knowledge is an important resource. To bring about development in dairy production, we need to have the right knowledge and utilize it at the right time and place. So, developing a knowledge management (identification, development, using and sharing vital knowledge) system is very important in order to accelerate the adoption of improved dairy technologies and enhance dairy production and productivity. Therefore, understanding the knowledge management of a certain locality will help to develop appropriate research and development agendas.

Agricultural Economics Journal, Rubber Production, Nontraditional Areas, Capital Investment, Government Agencies, Community Processing Centers, Rubber Plantation, Government Forest Lands, Goalpara District, Economic Empowerment.