In a stark contrast between praise and criticism, farmers across Mzansi express both admiration for the dedication of extension officers and frustration at the perceived inadequacies in their training.
While these officers are lauded for their relentless efforts and sacrifices in the field, the farming community underscores the pressing need for better quality through extensive training in technology, agro-processing, and a deepened understanding of the challenges they face.
Retired deputy director Elijah Ramafoko, who spent decades training farmers for the Northern Cape department of agriculture, land reform, and rural development, has lent his voice to this call, emphasising the necessity for extension officers to be fully equipped to tackle modern-day farming predicaments.
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Improvement knowledge
“For example, climate change is a huge obstacle towards optimum production for farmers. Most extension officers do not possess any knowledge to mitigate the problems associated with climate change.
“Extension officers do not have answers due to a lack of disaster management knowledge. Recently we had locusts which devastated agricultural production, this points out to the lack of disaster management knowledge,” he said.
Ramafoko said the government was on the right track by exposing unemployed graduates to agricultural industries to get experience by linking them with successful farmers by placing them on farms.
“The rate at which farmers get into farming is higher than the rate at which extension officers are hired. Extension officers are overloaded and there is a need for more extension officers,” he said.
Lacking on the practical side of things
Sunflower farmer in the Free State Happy Letsitsa said extension officers were lacking the practical side of agriculture as they only possess theory.
“Extension officers don’t understand the work they do and need skills development courses and more practicals in the field.
Meanwhile, Reggie Nkambule, a maize farmer from the Free State, said he has a very good extension officer who knows her work but lacks support from higher offices.
“Well, what I would like to see is a solid collaboration between extension officers and the officials in the department who are office based. We would like to get more support and see promises materialising,” he said.
Collaboration needed
Another maize farmer in the Free State, Phaladi Matsole, said extension officers in his area were hard working. The problem was the non-implementation of programmes and tools of the trade.
“Our extension officers are hard-working but the problem is the officials who do not give these extension officers support, which ultimately leads to us suffering.
“If the government can treat us farmers all the same without favouritism, we will go far in this country. We need the same energy and vision from top to bottom since we are told one thing, but see the other,” he said.
Matsole added that the provincial government needs to crack the whip on officials who are not working or dragging their feet in assisting farmers.
“We have dedicated extension officers who want to see us successful, but those who are above them remain stagnant and blocking such progress, that needs to be dealt with,” he said.
Officers need resources
Maphate Rakoma from Limpopo told Food For Mzansi she was happy that the extension officer assigned to her was visible, however, the government need to provide them with resources.
“They are very helpful in disseminating information to us as farmers, but I believe they just need enough vehicles and more farmer support groups aimed at helping farmers to engage in challenges faced in a certain area,” she said.
Crop farmer Sphesihle Chata from the farming village of Dundonald in Mpumalanga said although he knows his extension officer, the official has not set foot at his farm.
“What I would really like to see is extension officers engaging and visiting us as young farmers. In this way, we learn from each other and share ideas.
“There needs to be a balance between what we ask from the government and what we get. Being new in the field like I am, you would like to be exposed and get as much information as possible,” he said.
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