By Vicent Emong
KUMI — Farmers in Kumi District have been encouraged to actively seek guidance from agricultural extension workers despite a growing shortage of staff affecting service delivery in the district.
The call was made by the Kumi District Production Officer, Rajab Ogogol, during an engagement with farmers and extension officers aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainable farming practices.
Ogogol revealed that Kumi District currently has only one agricultural extension worker serving approximately 2,000 farmers, a figure far above the nationally recommended ratio of one officer for every 500 farmers.
“With the current staffing levels, extension workers cannot physically reach every farmer regularly. Farmers must therefore take the initiative to demand these services if they are to improve productivity and achieve sustainable agricultural development,” Ogogol said.
He explained that the shortage has made it difficult for extension officers to consistently monitor and support all farming communities across the district.
As a result, he encouraged farmers to maintain communication with extension workers through phone calls and consultations whenever they require technical advice on crop management, livestock production, pest control, and modern farming methods.
Despite the staffing challenges, Ogogol praised extension workers in the district for remaining committed to supporting farmers under difficult conditions.
He specifically commended extension officer Nisa Megga for his dedication to assisting farmers in Artuturi, noting that many farmers in the area have benefited from his guidance and technical support.
“There are officers who continue working tirelessly despite the heavy workload. Farmers in Artuturi can testify about the commitment shown by some of our extension workers,” Ogogol said.
He also recognized senior extension officers for their experience and leadership, urging younger officers to emulate their dedication in empowering farmers with agricultural knowledge.
According to Ogogol, agricultural production in Kumi District has significantly improved over the years, with many households transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
“We have already moved beyond farming only for food because food production in the district is now relatively stable,” he noted. “Farmers are increasingly producing surplus yields for the market, which is helping to improve household incomes and livelihoods.”
He added that the district is witnessing growing adoption of modern farming technologies, particularly microscale irrigation systems that allow farmers to continue production even during dry seasons.
Ogogol said farmers who embrace irrigation technology are likely to remain economically competitive because they can sustain production throughout the year regardless of changing weather conditions.
“Many farmers in Kumi are now using microscale irrigation for crop production, while others have expanded it to pasture farming. This is the direction we want our agriculture sector to take,” he explained.
Farmers who attended the engagement welcomed the advice but appealed to government to recruit more extension workers to bridge the staffing gap and improve access to agricultural services.
They noted that extension workers play a critical role in helping farmers improve yields, adopt modern technologies, and respond to challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate change.
District leaders say increasing the number of extension workers remains essential if Kumi is to sustain agricultural growth and improve food security and household incomes across the district.
