An Agriculturist and zonal manager of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Cross River North, Mark Ewa, has decried the dearth of extension service workers in that part of the state.

Mr Ewa, who spoke in an interview with journalists in Ogoja Local Government Area on Wednesday, said the staff shortage in the zone had affected food security in the area and the state in general.

He lamented a situation where the 257 cells in the zone, which are supposed to be manned by at least 80 extension workers, could only boast of 11.

“This is very sad, and it is adversely affecting the growth and development of agriculture in the area. Sadly, this is the part of the state where you have huge agricultural potential.

“When I joined the service in 2014, we had about 74 extension workers here, which I considered inadequate.

“But things were moving fine, but I can’t even say anything close to that now that we have just 11 in the whole zone,” Mr Ewa said.

The zonal manager attributed the shortage of extension workers in the zone to retirement.

(NAN)