As part of the drive to rejuvenate operations in the agricultural extension services, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs. Bongie Sithole-Moloi, has launched the provincial corporate service gear for all the extension officers in KZN. The aim of the uniform gear is to professionalize the Extension Advisory Services in order to instill a new, revitalized approach to agriculture to inculcate a culture of excellent service delivery and professionalism in the workplace.

Over 1000 Extension Advisory officers looked absolutely stunning and quite professional in their corporate services gear when they converged at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex at the launch in August 2019. The objective of the uniform is to increase visibility, professionalism and corporate image and identity of the Department in its work with farmers, communities and stakeholders. Extension services is the coalface platform for the department’s interaction, liaison and support to farmers and communities. When extension officers engage with farmers and communities there will be instilled a sense of professionalism, corporate identity and visibility.

Farmers and communities will also gain comfort in that the extension officers are there to support agriculture and rural development. She said it will also circumvent any acts of criminality by the members of society who sometimes act as extension officers to achieve sordid ends. One case of imposters was recently reported in Utrecht when a group of people stormed into a land reform farm claiming to be employees of the Department and demanded the farmers to provide them with crucial information about their Cooperative. “Extension officers are at the forefront of service delivery and are the face of the sector to clients and general public. It is therefore important that the department provide extension officers with uniforms to improve their visibility, image and identity in the communities,” said MEC Sithole-Moloi.