Over 3,300 agriculture extension workers yet to be recruited

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The Auditor General’s latest report has revealed that local governments (LGs) are yet to recruit a total of 3,324 agriculture extension workers.

Edward Akol’s report to Parliament for the audit year ended December 31, 2024, stated that out of the required extension staff positions in 135 of the 5,874 LGs, 2,561 (44%) had been filled, leaving a shortfall of 3,324 (57%).

He also noted that 1,035 out of the 2,561 existing extension workers in 135 LGs did not have motorcycles.

Section 3.1 of the compendium of cost service delivery standards for Local Governments, August 2023, on extension worker tools and equipment, requires each extension worker to be equipped with a motorcycle, helmet, and protective clothes.

Akol further reported that the 2,561 extension staff in 135 LGs did not have professional certificates to provide extension services.

“Inadequate staffing and resources (transport), and lack of professional certification of extension staff limit the reach of extension services, which affects on-farm production,” he said.

The accounting officers of LGs explained in the report that staffing gaps existed because of the ban on recruitment, while the lack of resources was attributed to limited funding.

They further stated that they were unaware of the professionalisation initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).

Extension workers are expected to support and guide farmers in making decisions on technological options, managing various technologies, farming systems, product demand, quality specifications, sources of inputs, selling products, resource use, marketing, and off-farm income generation options.

“Furthermore, the Government would employ three extension staff at the local government (sub-county) level in the areas of livestock, crops, and fisheries on permanent and pensionable terms to provide advice to mixed farmers producing a range of enterprises,” the Auditor General said.