By Muhammad Sani Muazu
It’s a pressing issue that has been quietly simmering in Bauchi State – the alarming gap between extension workers and farmers.
With most extension workers either retired or passed away without replacements, promises from the government to address this shortage have remained unfulfilled.
But beyond the numbers lies an even graver concern: the welfare of the remaining extension workers and the crumbling state of their offices under the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program.
Agriculture correspondent, Muhammad Sani Muazu, delves into the harsh realities faced by these unmotivated workers and the smallholder farmers who desperately need their support.
Dina Daniel Istifanus, the Executive Director of Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, has made an impassioned plea to the government to support smallholder women farmers by providing essential resources and infrastructure.
In an exclusive interview with Albarka Radio, she highlighted the critical challenges facing women farmers in Bauchi State and called for immediate intervention to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
“We, women farmers, the smallholder women farmers, have been advocating for farm input and some of the areas we went to are the BSADP extension workers’ offices,” Istifanus began. “You get there, there’s nothing to show about; the office is dilapidated. You would not find any staff there because the office is so rundown, so how can staff be there?”
Istifanus emphasized the importance of well-equipped extension workers’ offices, noting that these workers play a crucial role in disseminating agricultural knowledge and techniques to women farmers. “We’re calling on the government to look into that area to be able to support extension workers with offices and, if possible, budget that they can be able to go out, to reach out to women farmers,” she urged.
Highlighting the dire need for support, Istifanus stressed that the challenges faced by women farmers are manifold. However, she chose to focus on the issue of extension workers, describing them as the “powerhouse” with the knowledge necessary to drive agricultural success.
“They have the knowledge to share with women farmers, but where the knowledge is not there, you cannot get the required results,” she stated.
In addition to the need for functional extension services, Istifanus called on the government to address the marketing challenges faced by women farmers. “At the end of the day, when the farming has been done, the processing, and then taking it out for marketing is where we are finding it very difficult. So if the government would make a way for women farmers to sell their output for a good price, I think it would go a long way,” she explained.
Furthermore, Istifanus urged the government to be deliberate in the distribution of farm inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. She advocated for a clear allocation to women farmers to ensure they receive the necessary resources to enhance their agricultural productivity. “Let the government be deliberate on the issue of distribution to women farmers. Let it be spelled out that a certain percentage of inputs and training should be given only to women farmers. I think it would go a long way,” she concluded.
The plea from Istifanus underscores the critical need for government intervention to support smallholder women farmers in Bauchi State. Providing essential resources, infrastructure, and fair market access can significantly enhance the productivity and livelihood of these farmers, contributing to the broader goal of agricultural development and food security in the region.
