Agriculture extension officers key to farming sector transformation

• Published date: 22 September 2022
• Publication title: The Chronicle

The Chronicle Nqobile Tshili,Chronicle Reporter AGRICULTURE extension officers are key to the transformation of the country's agriculture sector into agribusinesses through proffering solutions to farming communities. Three extension officers are deployed per ward and this is meant to ensure that they are continuously in contact with farmers; each one attending to 600 farmers at most.

To ensure that agritex officers are hands-on and technically sound, they undergo refresher courses twice a year and also write examinations to show that they would have mastered concepts they have been taught in an ever-changing field due to climate change. The officers are expected to provide technical advice to farmers as Government works to revolutionalise the agriculture sector into an industry starting in villages.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development is leading the rural industrialisation programme where villages are being transformed to be more productive. Agritex officers have been equipped with motorcycles to improve mobility and also get monthly airtime allowances to communicate with farmers on agribusiness opportunities.

The country is preparing for the 2022/23 farming season and meteorologists have projected a normal to above normal farming season. Responding to questions from Chronicle, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said Agritex officers are the technical engines towards a successful implementation of Pfumvudza/Intwasa climate proof farming method.

He said Agritex officers are expected to be ever present in communities to provide farming solutions to farmers. "Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is a climate proofing concept that is anchored and enabled by a responsive agricultural extension support system manned by a well-rounded, polished agricultural extension officer whose role is as follows: introduce the concept and sensitise local traditional leaders on Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, farmer mobilisation and registration and training farmers the principles underlying Pfumvudza; minimum soil disturbance/holing out, rotations, mulching," he said.

Dr Basera said extension officers are expected to impart and promote adoption of climate smart agricultural practices that focus on soil moisture and nutrient conservation for increased production. He said they can do this by organising farmers into groups and reduce the burden of individually digging Intwasa...