Jobs everywhere for good extension agents

The planting season is here and most farmers are thronging agrovet shops to buy seeds.

However, there are others who cannot afford quality seeds or cannot access them. Daniel Wanjama, an agricultural extension officer, works with such farmers through a firm he founded. He explained to Rachel Kibuiwhat it takes to become an agricultural extension officer and how one can become self-employed.

Why did you choose to become an extension officer?

I grew up in an agricultural family and enjoyed farming as I saw my parents do it. I identified the numerous challenges they faced and decided to pursue a career in the field at Egerton University. Well, the challenges still persist but I am happy I am doing my part.

What qualifications does one need to become an extension officer?

The course is offered at certificate, diploma and degree levels in different institutions. For entry, you must have studied agriculture and one or two sciences in high school and passed according to the level you want to pursue. But I must say those are academic qualifications, this kind of a field requires passion and love for farming.

Would you advise a student seeking to make money from his career to pursue agriculture extension?

I believe careers are not all about money. Instead, I believe in personal fulfilment than pay. However, I would term agriculture extension as averagely well paying. But it also depends on employer and qualifications like experience and level of education. I am more of an agent of food security and seeds preservation than a businessperson.

There are many opportunities in this field, whether one is dealing with crops or animals. One needs an open mind to see them and succeed.

You chose to run your own organisation – Seed Savers, tell us how you did it?

I believed from the start that I did not need formal employment to serve farmers. I wrote a proposal to donors detailing how I would provide free extension services by training interns and part-time volunteers. I got support from a donor after two years of trying, and he still supports us to date.

What is your typical day like?

I mostly spend my days with individual or groups of farmers discussing on importance of seed saving. I also spend time training them on how to save seeds. I take them through the process of seeds selection to preservation. I have been doing this since 2009.

What is seed saving all about?

It is a programme through which I work with small-scale farmers to ensure they can access seeds at the right time and at affordable cost. We conserve indigenous seeds and foods, which are slowly declining yet they are more resistant to diseases and pests.

What challenges do you face in your job?

It is quite hard to convince people that they can get quality seeds from what they had planted. Besides, my organisation is donor-funded, thus, sometimes we operate with limited funds.

What do you love most about your work?

I like the fact that I make a difference in poor farmers’ lives. There are people who cannot access seeds thus we show them how to make their own.

The relationship between extension agents and farmers appears frosty, what is the problem and how can it be mended?

Most farmers are quick to blame extension officers in case something goes wrong. And the fact that we have few agents has made farmers develop cold attitude towards the officers. However, this can be mended if farmers appreciate this as a noble profession. They need to learn that we are trained officers who offer professional advice. Extension officers too need to understand that their work needs patience and be truthful.