Bashe challenges extension officers to work hard
AGRICULTURE Minister Hussein Bashe has directed all extension officers in the country to work hard and help to boost contributions of agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors to the national economy.
He argued that increasing the sectors’ contribution to the national economy and improving livelihood of farmers, livestock keepers and fishermen can be realised if the officers work diligently at their areas.
In his speech at the opening of the Tanzania Society of Agricultural Education and Extension (TSAEE)’s 2022 Annual General Meeting and Conference, the minister said the government was aware of the challenges facing the extension officers. He said he was working on how to address them.
The meeting brought together representatives of extension officers in all regions in the Tanzania mainland and Isles who came together to share experiences, challenges facing and learn from each other.
He said there was still a lot of work to do to ensure that farmers, livestock keepers and fishermen use the right technology in their activities and boost the performance of their sectors in national economy.
“It is important that you cooperate with farmers, livestock keepers and fishermen in effort to get the right information, use extension services as a way of spreading technology, educate and provide professional advice and get feedback on use of technology,” Bashe told the officers.
The minister reminded them to plan their working schedules to improve performance, especially in an area of reaching out to farmers needing extension services.
He added that the government through its research institutions continues discovering new technologies aimed at increasing productivity on commercial farming, livestock keeping and fisheries.
While acknowledging the importance of providing public education, training and awareness on use of technology, extension officers in the country have a big opportunity on this and the government is ready to have in place conducive environment for them to participate.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, TSAEE Chairperson, Prof Catherine Msuya noted that extension officers face several challenges, thus there was a need to convene such annual meeting in which they share experiences and learn from each other.
She added that the organisation is a platform where they share professional experiences and other matters affecting them as well as helping in improving policy issues.
According to the chairperson, TSAEE cooperates with different stakeholders both locally and internationally working to improve extensions services in the country.
She observed that while the association which currently has 133 members has achieved a lot of success, it is facing big financial constraints.
Ms Ipyana Mwakasaka, Programme Officer at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), one of the international organisation working closely with TSAAE said AGRA is committed to working with the government on agricultural transformation, hence the cooperation to boost extension services is crucial.
