officers
26 April 2006
During the gathering of over 500 Extension Officers of the Department of
Agriculture, Eastern Cape at Good News Centre in King Williams Town yesterday,
the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Thoko Didiza, expressed her
gratefulness for the commitment shown by the officers to serve people despite
the challenges in the working environment.
As the purpose of this gathering was to feel the head and feet of the
officers, some of the issues raised relate to working tools and conditions. In
responding to these matters, the Minister highlighted that there is a working
committee that is looking at uniform working conditions for all extension
officers nationally.
She encouraged the officers to upgrade their qualifications and highlighted
that this plea is due to day-to-day challenges that can be met through building
their individual capacity, as farmers are of different categories.
The Minister also touched on the importance of the integration of programmes
with the municipalities saying that is part of the departmental mandate.
In his remarks at the gathering the MEC of Agriculture in the Eastern Cape
Mr G Nkwinti said âThere should be uniform working environment and officials
should enjoy same privileges as the team for the Department of Agriculture and
enabling facilities to deliver the six pegs policy should be in placeâ. He
emphasised that there is one Department of Agriculture.
Some of the resolutions that were taken in this meeting were:
* expansion of the Green Revolution piloted in Mbhashe to all regions.
* working group on salary packages is busy with job evaluations which will
lead to adjustments.
* the departmental organogram will soon be finalised and the Senior Manager
of Extension will soon be appointed.
* a livestock development chief directorate will also be established to
address the livestock improvement issues.
* the training directorate is also included in the new organogram to address
the human resource development issues.
For more information contact:
Nonkoliseko Nkaitshana
Communications Unit
Tel: (040) 609 3489
Fax: (040) 635 1222
E-mail: nonkoliseko.nkaitshana@agr.ecprov.gov.za
Fikile Black
Tel: (040) 609 3486
Cell: 082 578 1437
E-mail: fikile.black@agr.ecprov.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
26 April 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
