By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi Bauchi State House of Assembly has urged the Bauchi state government to employ agric extension workers trained in Abuja in the state civil service to tackle poverty and Improve food security.
It could be recalled that Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) Ogbenge women farmers and other partners paid advocacy visits to the Speaker Abubakar Sulaiman on the need for the government to emphasize extension services.
Mr Babayo Muhammad Akuyam, representing Hardawa Constituency present the motion at a plenary on Tuesday in Bauchi.
He urged the Honourable House to call on the executive arm to place premium on Agriculture in order to ensure food security and eradicate poverty,
“As well absorb agricultural extension workers trained in Abuja to assist small-holder farmers to address the many challenges of agricultural production in the State.
“The Ministry of Information be mandated to sensitize small-holder farmers on adopting efficient and sustainable agricultural practices to improve productivity and livelihood of farmers in the State
“No doubt, the Bauchi State Government has demonstrated some zeal to support agricultural development through gradual upward reviews of its agriculture budget annually.
He added the state is yet to maximize its agricultural production potential towards economic growth and improved livelihoods, for several reasons,
“Including policy and practice limitations in implementing unified agricultural extension services for increased productivity and better living standards of small-scale farmers.
“With limited extension workers for small-scale farmers, Bauchi State farmers received limited guidance and training in technology adoption and application of inputs,
Resulting in low productivity, reduced export opportunities and threats to livelihoods.There is currently a ratio of one extension worker to five thousand households in Bauchi State.” He explained.
The Speaker Sulaiman while contributing said that the best way to reduce poverty in Bauchi State is through farming, thus his motion is timely and important.
On his part Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada (Bogoro Constituency) said that about 80% of citizens of Bauchi State are farmers, what they need is guidance to improve their farming.
He added that farmers are getting it difficult to know the best way to use chemicals and fertilizers in their farms.
Also contributing, Majority Leader Hon. Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu Azare Madangala Constituency said the motion is not only timely but very important because of the role the service play in improving agriculture.
He therefore requested that a prayer should be added to the motion that the State Government should lift embargo on recruitment of civil servants by allowing recruitment of civil servants, employ low cadre civil servants and do replacement for middle cadre employees.
Tijjani further stated that recruitment of civil servants in the State will reduce poverty and insecurity.
Also contributing Hon. Baballe Abubakar Dambam (Dambam/Dagauda/Jalam Constituency) said that in his Constituency there are only two agric extension officers and the situation is creating low productivity in agriculture in the Area.
While seconding the prayers of the motion, he explained that the Country is moving from agriculture for food to agriculture for wealth, thus extension workers should be employed and trained.
The House unanimously adopted the prayers of the motion and direct for onward transmission to the executive arms of the government