Uganda’s agriculture sector is headed for tough times after a new report indicated that the shortage of agriculture extension workers stands at 57%) while the recruited staff lack professional certificates to do the job.
The revelation is contained in the Auditor General’s report for the Audit Year ended 31st December 2024 that was handed over to Parliament recently.
“Out of the required extension staff positions in 135 LGs of 5,874, 2,561 (44%) had been filled leading to a shortfall of 3,324 (57%). I further noted that the staff structure in the MCs did not provide for positions of Agriculture extension officers at the LLG (Division) level. This constrains the implementation of PDM activities at the Division level,” Edward Akol, the Auditor General, says in the report.
It should be noted that Paragraph 3.1.1 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Parish Development Model (PDM) operational guidelines on knowledge/extension services for crop, animal husbandry and fisheries provides that Government extension services are expected to support and guide farmers in making decisions on; the technological options, management of the various technologies, farming system, types of products and their demand, quality specifications, sources of inputs and sell of products, resource use and marketing, relevant and reliable knowledge and information, and feasible 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 AG report also found out that 1,035 out of the 2,561 existing extension workers in 135 LGs (Local Governments) did not have motorcycles.
Lack of Professional certification
Paragraph 3.1.1 of the MAAIF PDM operational guidelines provides that MAAIF will develop and institutionalize a professional certificate course to equip extension workers with practical skills, which will be a requirement to provide extension services at the Parish level. However, the AG notes that 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 limits the reach of extension services which affects on-farm production,” the report says.
It adds that the Accounting Officers of LGs explained that the staffing gaps existed because of ban on recruitment while, the lack of resources was attributed to limited funding. They further explained that they are unaware of the professionalization initiative by MAAIF.
Recommendations
The Auditor General recommends that MAAIF should retool Extension Workers to support and guide farmers in making decisions on the technological options, management of the various technologies, among others.
“MAAIF should develop strategies to ensure professional certification of extension workers is achieved,” the AG advises.
About the Author
Am in budaka district , I have been doing agriculture from 2015 after my studies being in love with agriculture I left kampala I came back to village being lucky we had land I started vegetable growing started doing research while trying different crops and I also tried some piggery farming and planted banana plantation God has been on my side am very known for banana. I supplied sucker to some farmers now am happy about my work just that Iam lucking capital to sustain this coz farming is expensive but thankful to God am still pushing.and right and am beding cabbages and tomatoes while planning rice and other things thanks.i did procurement but now I have good experience in this am doing now
You can imagine! I graduated in 2013 and have worked for many organisations as extension officer but to surprise have Done more than enough interviews of the same field in local government but haven’t been considered because of corruption.
Truely a lot really need to be done as fast as possible otherwise we shall all be in problem so MMIF team do ur best we still have pples with fresh knowledge and competent enough to change all this
Extension man power should be added in order to succeed in this program.
Regards to the concerned personnel, I am ready to work with the organization in case there is a vacancy or need,
I pursued a Diploma in crop production and management at Busitema university Arapai campus with practical field knowledge and skills
The process of recruiting the professionals is no longer free and fair. Technical know who is da order of da day and worrying mostly is corruption.
How did happen? We need our own commission as education and healthy otherwise no future ahead.
Am Agaba Enoth I hold Bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Kyambogo University and I have experience of 5yrs now working with snv as a trainer and extension officer. Am from kiruhura district
GARVUMENT NEEDS EXTENSION WEEKS BESICALY ON PARISH
I hold Bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Kyambogo University and I have experience of 5yrs now working with snv as a trainer and extension officer. Am from kiruhura district
Maaif do something we are un employed
More extension workers with experience and skills should be hired instead of hiring people who don’t know what they are doing.
Finished school with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and rural innovation and no work please maaif do something
We need more extention workers in our areas. Me personally I have a national certificate in agriculture production and Diploma in Animal health and management, currently volunteering in Namayingo district.
That’s great but what you should do is to bring young people to learn how do. A’m also doing vegetables farming in our area and I’m giving skill to three young men in my area
I wish to provide service in agriculture extension in MAAIF, I hold diploma in integrated Agriculture and aquaculture, currently working as a part-time assistant lecturer in FISHERIES TRAINING INSTITUTE, im a Ugandan
I hold a diploma in animal production management iam in Busia district iam unemployed and ready to work
Agriculture extension
I did my national certificate in agriculture then to diploma in agriculture and rural innovations willing to do the needful to farmers but corruption at my district Ntungamo 🤦🤦 You can’t believe it
I’m already to provide Agricultural work with MAAIF. I have national certificate in Agriculture and Diploma in Animal production and farm management.
I am a woman of 42 years. I have been doing agriculture but without knowledge of having a standard banana plantation that leads to good harvest. I am in Buhoma town council Kanungu district and as old curriculum was fading away, I did my exams last year 2024 meanwhile waiting for my results I need more training in agriculture because it was one of the reason that encouraged me to go back to school. Please MAAIF I need your knowledge and support. Thanks.
Good management skills
Matanda moses, Namisindwa is not alone
Currently unemployed and l hold a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and rural innovation but now am volunteering at local government ,Makindye Sabagabo Municipal Council and l have been here for over 8 months working like an Internee sort, wonder why they are looking for extension workers yet we are looking for opportunities too
And they banned the recruitments as if they had enough staff. Us who hustled to attain education are struggling looking for jobs.
Professional are available but system of payment discourages them to go government job personally am an agribusiness by profession by am doing personal enterprises
It’s true We are lacking more extension works mostly in all sub counties.
Well you can hire me, i just completed at MUK
It’s unfortunate that our country can be lacking all these staffs in the most sensitive sector where almost 88% are benefiting from . NGOs have done more work in relation to government staff. We are in villages struggling to make ends meet when we attained good courses in agriculture and related field. When we apply they don’t even shortlist us
Imagine, I hold a diploma in Animal Health and production. + A certificate in Agriculture but no job now eight years.
MAAIF think of me.
Its true, we need recruitment of more Extension workers at each level.
Applying for job vacancy, am from Bundibugyo district.
100% they lack professionalism they are not helping farmers at all in the villages. Just to train and make reports confirming pdm beneficiaries, they ask for money. Every day farmers animals and hens are dying and no one to give them appropriate solutions. Farmers are planting fake seeds and this contributes to poor yields. Diseases are affecting crops. All these are happening in the presence of so called qualified extension staffs in the sub counties. Let government change the strategy. Thanks
Let them (government) clean their linens first! And employ the right person for the right Job
I would like to work with MAAIF, I have over 8 years experience in agriculture related field
Many of the officers especially in many districts especially Madi Okollo have their facilitations eaten by corrupt officials at district levels hence affecting extension service delivery to farmers.. yet auditors are doing nothing
I Hold a National Diploma in Animal Production and Management, now almost 17 years, worked with the university farm, as asst. Head of Livestock, managed some private farms, and still offering livestock health services todate, privately. But when we apply for govt jobs, it’s more of technical know who. So some of us are available and ready to work, but consideration is put on biases like tribe, politics, bribe for jobs, etc. Hence, we are almost giving up…
Action points should be considered with transparency and fairness in job recruitment to avoid such incidences.
This will help farmers and the country at Large in implementing government programs successfully and achieving long-term impact.
I was on President Museveni’s campaign train in western Uganda as a freelance journalist reporting for Tv west vision group and I was inspired by the presidents vision of PDM where he was/still appealing to Farmers to stop working for the stomach. With my background in Agriculture (Diplomat in Agriculture with education secondary) I enrolled for a degree in Agriculture and community development and graduated in 2023. My passion is to back up presidents call since u can’t tell farmers to join money economy with out extension workers . I pray to see Government advertise for these gaps and take me and other professionals up to push This dream of farming and a Bussiness.0773016033 is my contact Micheal
Very good
And many of us are looking for jobs .
Qualified Extension worker with a degree in agriculture and rural Innovations.
And many of us are unemployed professional agriculturalists, you wonder!
Am an agribusiness manager well trained with national diploma from Bukalasa agricultural college with experience 8yrs
The extension staff are not facilitated regularly in some districts like Namisindwa where corruption has eroded the moral of the extension staff.
I wish to apply for the post of Animal Health and Production officer.
I am from Zimbabwe and hold a BSc Honors Degree in Animal Health and Production Extension,currently employed in the government department of Veterinary Field services of Zimbabwe as a Veterinary Extension Officer,with 10 years working experience.
Applying for a vacancy