Harare — A CRITICAL shortage of transport is forcing Arex workers in Goromonzi District to walk up to 20km to assess crops and give advice to farmers.

The transport shortage has seriously affected services in the area, as the extension workers are unable to attend to problems on time. This week, an extension officer from Glen Forest had to walk 8km to attend a field day at Shipai Farm. Another extension officer walked at least 20km from Hurudza Valley Farm in Arcturus to attend the same meeting. Owing to the bad roads, public transport operators have abandoned the route leading to farms in the Guta and Mwanza areas.

One of the officers said she walks more than 20km around her area and usually arrived back home after work as late as 10pm. "Normally I travel about 20km twice a week. After travelling a long distance, I have to rest another day before I visit other farmers," she said.

Although the working conditions of other extension officers in other districts were better as they had bicycles and motor bikes, in her area mobility was a big challenge.

Arex director, Dr Shadreck Mlambo last week indicated the department was in dire need of 6 600 extension officers and crop scientists to help improve service delivery in all 10 provinces. The challenges facing the department have to a larger extent compromised the services many newly resettled farmers heavily rely on in their farming activities.