AG faults ministry for shortage of agricultural extension workers
KAMPALA, February 20, 2025 – The Auditor General’s latest report has revealed a significant shortfall of over 3,000 agricultural extension workers across Uganda, which is expected to have a detrimental impact on the agricultural sector.
In his audit report for the year ending 31 December 2024, Edward Akol highlights that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] has failed to provide sufficient agricultural extension staff, leading to considerable challenges for farmers across more than 140 districts.
The report indicates a shortfall of 3,324 agricultural extension workers nationwide, representing 57 percent of the required number. “Out of the 5,874 required extension staff positions in 135 Local Governments, only 2,561 [44 percent] have been filled, resulting in a shortfall of 3,324 [57 percent]. This has hindered the implementation of the Parish Development Model [PDM] activities at the division level,” Akol states in the report.
The report further notes that the government has only recruited 2,561 agricultural extension workers across 135 local governments, of which 1,035 have not been provided with motorcycles to aid their mobility.
Under the PDM operational guidelines, the MAAIF is tasked with offering advisory services, including knowledge sharing on crop management, animal husbandry, and fisheries, to support and guide beneficiary farmers in making informed decisions. This advice covers areas such as technology management, farming systems, product types and market demand, quality specifications, and farm inputs.
To ensure efficiency, the ministry is also expected to employ three extension staff at the sub-county level in the areas of crop management, livestock, and fisheries, all on permanent contracts, to serve farmers involved in mixed production across various enterprises.
The Auditor General’s report also points out that the majority of the staff recruited as agricultural extension workers lack the necessary professional certification, which undermines the quality of the services provided. This issue is further exacerbated by the insufficient number of staff, lack of resources, including transport, and the absence of facilitation for the workers to reach farmers, which ultimately impacts production levels.
“Inadequate staffing, lack of resources such as transport, and the lack of professional certification for extension staff limit the reach of extension services, negatively affecting on-farm production,” the report states.
According to the PDM guidelines, the MAAIF is responsible for developing and institutionalising a professional certification course to equip extension workers with practical, hands-on experience, enabling them to provide quality services. However, the Auditor General observes that at least 2,561 extension workers across more than 135 local governments do not possess the professional certification needed to deliver effective services.
These challenges have been attributed to a government ban on recruitment imposed by the Ministry of Public Service, as well as limited funding from the central government, which has contributed to a lack of resources to support the staff.
The report recommends that MAAIF retool the available extension workers to enable them to better guide and support farmers, particularly in making decisions regarding technology management and acquisition. The Auditor General further urges the MAAIF to develop strategies to ensure the professional certification of extension workers, thereby ensuring the delivery of sustainable and effective services to farmers.
https://thecooperator.news/inadequate-extension-workers-affecting-pdm-success-in-lira/
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