By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Mbale Northern City Division, Were Yahaya, has criticized agricultural extension workers for neglecting their duties of providing technical guidance to farmers.
He said this failure is affecting the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the city.
Yahaya made the remarks on Saturday, 2nd August, 2025 while leading a monitoring and evaluation team, including the Mbale City Production Officer, to assess the progress of PDM beneficiaries in Lwasso and Kiwunno Wards. The beneficiaries visited are engaged in enterprises such as poultry, dairy cattle, and coffee farming.
While speaking to the Media, Yahaya said the absence of extension workers on the ground has left many farmers struggling to achieve the full potential of their enterprises.
“The extension workers are not available in the field, yet they receive a government salary every month. They should leave the offices and motorcycles and go out to guide the beneficiaries, check the gardens, recommend good seeds, advise on spraying cattle and produce, and teach proper post-harvest storage,” Yahaya said.
Salim Munabi Wandera, a PDM beneficiary from Kibagala Cell, Kiwunno Ward, engaged in poultry and dairy cattle, also expressed concern over the lack of guidance from extension workers.
Mafabi Hussein, another beneficiary from Magada Cell in Lwasso Ward and a coffee farmer, echoed similar frustrations, saying there’s a big gap between him and the extension workers.
Dr. George Mangeni, the Mbale City Production Officer, noted that many beneficiaries have used their funds effectively, especially in dairy projects such as zero grazing.
He says that about 80% of the farmers visited have made commendable progress, though a few are still struggling.
However, Dr. Mangeni acknowledged the challenge of understaffing, saying, “Mbale City should not be viewed in its old structure. It was expanded after annexing two town councils and rural sub-counties. Our current staff is overwhelmed, and many farmers are located in hard-to-reach hilly areas.”
He says there is need to recruit more extension workers because the current number is insufficient to meet the demand for service delivery.
