By: Timothy Peter
Dedza, January 21, Mana: One of the Agriculture Extension Development Officers (AEDO) in Dedza district, Kerita Chagwa, has urged fellow female workers to use their skills and work hard when discharging their duties as extension workers in the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) they work.
She said this after the district's Agriculture Office awarded prizes to four top performing AEDOs who worked hard in their EPAs in 2024.
Chagwa, who is the only female extension worker who was recognized for her dedication to improving lives of farmers in the district, said female workers should not underrate themselves in the course of their duties.
"As female extension workers, we have the same capabilities and skills to assist and improve famers' lives at both household and area levels as males do. So, we need to work very hard in our areas," she said.
Meanwhile, another awardee, a male extension worker from Kanyama EPA in the district, Yona Mhango, promised to continue working hard this year.
"It is not a mean achievement for me to be awarded, so I will continue serving farmers well. I also want to encourage other workers to work hard and put Dedza on the map so that next time they may also win similar prizes," he added.
In his remarks, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Dedza District, Siliro Nkhukuzalira Magomelo, said it was encouraging to see both female and male extension workers working hard in ensuring food security in the country as well as helping government to achieve its aspirations towards curbing hunger.
"I will capitalize on the hard working spirit, commitment and enthusiasm among my extension workers to produce more in the district," he said.
Magomelo added that rewarding hard working officers is key to improving lives of farmers in the district and promised that, as a new director of agriculture in the district, he will help his junior staff to work extra hard.
The four top performing AEDOs were all awarded mattresses. Dedza District has ten EPAs with 84 AEDOs against 169 sections.
