AGRICULTURE SERVICES
The Department of Agriculture Services is responsible for the provision of agricultural extension services to farmers in Mazabuka district in accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture’s mandate that is to facilitate the development of a diversified, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector for food, nutrition and income security. This is in accordance with the Government Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021.
Sections
- Agriculture
- Agribusiness & Marketing
- National Agricultural Information Services
- Human Resource & Administration/ Accounts
Functions
- Promote the use of improved crop varieties and certified seed
- Promote the efficient use of available water resources for irrigation
- Promote high value irrigable crops among small and medium scale farmers
- Promote the establishment of irrigation schemes especially for small scale farmers
- Promote Public-Private Partnerships in dissemination of research technology
- Promote the establishment of income generating ventures at the Farmer Training Centre
- Promote private sector participation in agricultural markets for inputs and outputs
- Strengthen the capacity of farmer groups and cooperatives in production, processing, marketing and trade
- Promote a pay-back culture in agricultural credit management particularly among smallholder farmers (conduct sensitization campaigns)
- Promotion of agricultural insurance
- Strengthen coordination among all stakeholders in the sector (hold sector annual reviews and sector planning meetings)
- Promote diversification of agricultural production and utilization (conduct training in food processing & preservation, increase crop diversification index)
- Promote the production, preservation and utilization of indigenous crop varieties and nutrient rich foods
- Determine and reduce post- harvest losses (construct/rehabilitate community sheds, fumigation)
- Develop and promote water harvesting, storage and utilization infrastructure
- Promote and strengthen agricultural production methods that are resilient to climate change
- Promote environmentally friendly and climate smart farming systems
- Promote gender mainstreaming training, knowledge and skills in the agriculture sector
Functions that have been devolved
- Extension Services- Crop production, Food & Nutrition, Irrigation, Farm Power & Mechanisation and Land Management
- Agri-business & Marketing
Agriculture Section
The Agricultural Section is the primary provider of agricultural extension services. The overall focus for the department is to enable the farmers make informed decisions to increase their production and productivity.
The section is responsible for provision of extension, advisory and technical services to farmers on various aspects of crop production, irrigation development, agricultural mechanisation and land husbandry.
The section provides a key interface with the farmers through the extension staff who are present at district and community levels (agricultural blocks and camps).
The main functions of the Department include:
- Disseminating technical and other information to the farming community.
- Providing technical services in irrigation, farm power, mechanisation and land
- Providing technical information in crop production, horticultural production,
nutrition, crop protection and soil fertility.
Branches Under Agriculture Section
Agricultural Advisory Services Branch
The Agricultural Advisory Services Branch facilitate timely dissemination of relevant agricultural extension information relating to activities such as crops production, farm management, extension methodology, food and nutrition to enable farmers make enlightened agricultural decisions. In addition, the Branch will facilitate the provision of technical services and guidance to the farming community to increase production and productivity
Crop Production
The Branch is responsible for the provision of Crop Production Technologies in the following areas:
- Field crops agronomy
- Tree crops
- Vegetables and floriculture
The Crops Production Branch serve as an interface between agricultural research and extension services to the lowest level of contact with the farmers, as well as with other relevant organisations, institutions and key stakeholders on crop production matters.
Food And Nutrition
The Food and Nutrition Section facilitates the provision of technical services and guidance to the farming community especially women in areas of nutrition and food nutritive value, food utilisation, household food processing, preservation and storage in order to improve knowledge and skills.
Technical Services Branch TSB)
The Technical Services Branch is responsible for providing irrigation services, land husbandry and agricultural mechanisation so as to contribute to increased food production through the application of economically sustainable technologies as well as enhancing sustained use of agricultural land resource base. TSB is responsible for the following:
- Facilitate promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation programs.
- Facilitate promotion of Land Husbandry activities in the District.
- Facilitate promotion of Irrigation programs in the District.
Agribusiness And Marketing Section
The Agribusiness & Marketing Section, provides agricultural marketing and supports socio-economic recovery through:
- Trade Facilitation– Simplifying and streamlining processes for domestic and international trade of agricultural commodities.
- Marketing Information– Providing up-to-date market trends, prices, and demand forecasts to farmers, traders, and agribusinesses.
- Rural Finance– Promoting access to agricultural finance in rural areas through programs and partnerships.
- Agriculture Value Chain Development– Supporting production, processing, distribution, and marketing to strengthen value chains.
- Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure– Identifying, planning, and implementing infrastructure such as bulking centers, storage facilities, and markets.
- Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)– Coordinating input distribution to small-scale farmers (seeds, fertilizers, chemicals).
- Agricultural Trade Permits– Managing issuance of import, export, and transit permits to ensure compliance with agricultural trade regulations.
- Policy Direction and Oversight– Monitoring statutory bodies such as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), FISP, and the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
Key Activities/ Programs Undertaken
- Collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural market prices and trends.
- Capacity building for farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses in entrepreneurship and marketing skills.
- Support for the development of agricultural marketing infrastructure.
- Coordination with the FRA to enhance food security programs.
- Administration of FISP at district level.
- Market data collection at district level
National Agriculture Information Services (NAIS)
The section’s main responsibility is to develop and implement information programmes at the district to inform and educate the public. The main activities the department undertakes are as follows:
- Preparing and disseminating timely news articles on agricultural, livestock, fisheries and other stakeholders’ programmes to inform the public
- Undertaking timely writing of feature articles on agricultural, livestock, fisheries and other stakeholders to inform and educate the public
- Producing of photographs regularly to make them available for publication
- Conducting of timely recording of audio data to facilitate information dissemination
- Liaising regularly with agricultural, livestock, fisheries and other stakeholders to keep the public informed with latest developments in the sectors
- Coordinating of agricultural events (such as agricultural shows, field days) to achieve their intended objectives
- Developing and implementing of work plans to ensure timely and efficient collection and dissemination of information
Human Resources and Administration/ Accounts Section
Human Resources and Administration (HRA) section manages HR functions like payroll, planning, and development, while also providing administrative support such as procurement. The HRA department is a key part of the Ministry, supporting its overall operations.
Functions
- Human Resources: Manages the Ministry’s staff through various functions like HR planning, performance management, payroll, and human resource development.
- Administration: Provides essential support services, including public relations, procurement, secretarial services, office management, and transport.
- Inventory and Asset Management: Handles the management of ministry assets and inventory.
- Policy and Records: Maintains records and is involved in policy-related matters, including human resource policies
Accounts
Accounts sits under HRA section, and handles financial management, including budgeting, monitoring fund utilization, and financial reporting for the ministry.
Functions
- Monitoring and evaluating the utilization of funds within the ministry
- Budget performance analysis
- Coordinating the preparation of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan and conducting annual reviews
- Ensuring the prudent use of resources
- Financial management
