Adamawa agric extension workers tasked on educating farmers on HIV/AIDS

The Adamawa State government says it is committed to transforming agriculture in the state with extension staff serving as the catalyst.The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Louis Mandama, said this while addressing newly recruited extension staff at a workshop in Yola recently.Mandama said that the Murtala Manurtala Nyako administration, more than any other one, had made agriculture the centre-piece of the state's economic development with the extension staff constituting part of the new drive.``You need to read a lot in your field and remain current with developments around the world to meet up with the new challenges.'He also urged that extension staff to utilise their closeness to rural farmers to educate them on the dangers of HIV/AIDS to agricultural development and to be more practical in enlightening the farmers on the government's commercial agriculture programme.He further advised them to set up their own farms, adding that through practicalising what they taught the farmers, the message would be effectively disseminated.'You need to have a small farm in the community you operate, so that you can translate what you are trying to teach the local farmer on how to increase his yield.'Once he sees the positive result, you will be his reliable partner and he will adopt the technology you gave him for keeps and there will be sustainability.'He charged them not allow themselves to be distracted by the farmers' social lives.``It is not your problem if somebody has many wives, or consumed `burukutu', or he is a pagan. Just do your work as an extension staff.''The permanent secretary also enjoined the female staff to dress modestly in order not to cause distraction among the farmers.'Don't dress gorgeously. Be modest with your make up so that while discussing with local farmers they don't end up looking at your make up instead of getting the message.
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