“My people perish for lack of knowledge,” says the Lord in Hosea 4:6.
For farmers in the West Nile sub-region, this scripture mirrors a painful reality. Recurrent crop failures are now a common experience, often resulting from their inability to adopt appropriate agronomic practices.
This is primarily due to limited access to agricultural extension services, which are critical in equipping farmers with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve productivity. West Nile possesses vast agricultural potential, with fertile land and favorable weather patterns.
However, much of this potential remains underutilized. One of the major constraints is the inadequate access to agricultural extension services. These services are intended to support farmers by providing technical advice, information on modern farming methods, climate-smart practices, and market strategies.
The National Agricultural Extension Policy (2016) and the 2023 Compendium of Costed Service Delivery Standards for Local Governments provide clear standards. Each extension worker is expected to serve no more than 500 farmers and conduct at least one visit per household every three months.
In addition, every sub-county is supposed to have a mini agricultural development center catering to livestock and crop production. Despite these clear guidelines, the situation in West Nile falls far short.
According to a 2021 report by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), one extension worker in West Nile serves an average of 2,000 farmers— four times the recommended number. For instance, there are only 36 extension workers in Zombo, 17 in Maracha, 46 in Yumbe, and 17 in Obongi.
Yet these officers are expected to serve farming populations of 64,342, 36,000, 98,000 and 6,600 respectively. This mismatch between staff numbers and demand creates a staggering farmer-to-extension worker ratio that drastically limits the dissemination of critical knowledge and skills.
The shortage in human resource is further compounded by shortage of logistics for the available extension workers. Many extension workers lack basic means of transport, which hinders their ability to reach farmers consistently.
In Maracha district, for example, only 23 motorcycles are shared among all staff in the production department and the sub-county-based extension officers. As a result, many areas have gone for years without any visit from an extension worker.
In Belo village, Lima parish, Ludara sub-county, farmers reported that the last visit they received was four years ago during a one-off training by CARITAS. This lack of contact with trained professionals is particularly concerning in the face of escalating climate change.
The sub-region is already suffering from erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells and declining soil fertility. Without access to updated information or adaptive practices, many farmers continue to rely on outdated methods that are no longer effective.
The situation is worsened by the region’s low literacy levels. The 2024 National Population and Housing Census indicates that West Nile has a literacy rate of 59.1 per cent, the second lowest in the country after Karamoja.
This limits the farmers’ ability to read agricultural manuals, interpret climate data, or utilize digital platforms offering farming advice. As a result, many farmers are unable to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. Their vulnerability to weather shocks has increased significantly.
During civic engagement meetings organized by ACODE and WENDA with support from the Royal Danish embassy, farmers across the sub-region shared their frustrations. In Kilaji village, Kupia parish of Kerwa sub-county in Yumbe District, one woman recalled planting 30 kilograms of bean seeds on an acre of land.
In previous seasons, she would harvest up to 1.5 tonnes. Last year, however, she harvested only 60 kilograms. This dramatic decline in yields is not an isolated case but a symptom of a much larger problem affecting farming communities across the region. The problem is also economic.
Many farmers in West Nile are unable to afford high-quality seeds and fertilizers, relying instead on recycled or low-grade inputs. The absence of guidance from extension workers means they often plant at the wrong time or use improper techniques, further reducing yields.
With shrinking harvests, food insecurity and poverty levels in the region continue to rise. The implications extend beyond individual households. The success of national programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) depends heavily on improved agricultural productivity.
If farmers lack the knowledge and tools to apply the one million shilling grants productively, these funds will yield minimal impact, reinforcing the poverty trap rather than breaking it.
To address these challenges, the government and development partners must increase the number of agricultural extension workers deployed in West Nile. Moreover, logistical support such as motorcycles and fuel should be prioritized to ensure that these workers can reach even the remotest villages.
Agricultural development centers must be established in every sub-county, and farmers should be equipped with basic training to enhance their resilience to climate change. Only then can the region begin to unlock its agricultural potential and secure better livelihoods for its people. The cost of inaction is simply too high.
The writer is a project officer at West Nile Development Association (WENDA)