AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DIVISION
Objective
To provide expertise in modernization of agricultural production in the country
Functions
- To advice the government on formulation, implementation and review of the National Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Policy, Strategy, Programs and Laws;
- To act as a forum/platform for information and technology sharing and soliciting resources pertaining to time, labour and water saving technologies;
- To coordinate all interventions in Agricultural Modernization domain conducted by the development agents and other stakeholders;
- To facilitate modernization of farm machinery including use of alternate power sources and conservation tillage equipment;
- To promote agro-processing machines and productive use of rural energy;
- To build capacity of institutions and personnel in profitable agricultural modernization (including Region Secretariat and Local Government Authorities, research, training, innovations and other stakeholders);
- To advise the Government in all matters concerning development and management of agricultural modernization domain in the country;
- To acquire, develop and disseminate suitable technologies originating from research findings, innovations and manufacturers of local or foreign origin;
- To monitor activities carried out by the National Irrigation Commission, Irrigators and other stakeholders;
- To facilitate collaboration of key irrigation stakeholders at National level;
- To collect and maintain data of all irrigators and irrigation associations; and
- To advise the Ministry on all matters relating to development and management of irrigation projects in the country.
The Division will be led by a Director and will comprise three (3) Sections as follows:-
- Farm Machinery and Implements Section;
- Agro-processing and Renewable Energy Section; and
- Irrigation Development Section.
1.1.1 Farm Machinery and Implements Section
This Section will perform the following activities:-
- Initiate formulation, implementation and review of policy, strategies and programmes on agricultural mechanization;
Set and monitor standards and guidelines for agricultural machinery; - Provide effective information on the national demand, availability and distribution of farm implements, machinery and equipment;
- Provide advisory services on appropriate farm machinery and multi operational use of machinery;
- Promote and encourage agro-mechanization and modernization of farm machinery;
- Promote alternate power sources such as power tillers, rice trans-planters, harvesters and other machinery for smallholder farming;
- Facilitate up scaling of conservation tillage technologies to improve agricultural productivity;
- Encourage participation of private investors in agro mechanization including supply of conservation tillage implements;
Develop data bank for agricultural machinery; and - Advise on the creation of enabling environment to acquire modern agro mechanisation technologies.
The Section will be led by an Assistant Director.
1.1.2 Agro-processing and Productive Use of Rural Energy Section
This Section will perform the following activities:-
- Develop strategies and programmes to increase adoption of agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of energy;
- Provide advisory services on crop processing machines technologies and productive use of energy in collaboration with other related institutions;
- Develop guidelines on agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of energy and provide technical back stopping;
- Build capacity of RS and LGAs on agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of rural energy;
- Promote exploitation of renewable energy technologies in agriculture;
- Provide advisory services and facilitate dissemination of appropriate farm structures;
- Encourage private sector participation in increasing accessibility and availability of agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of energy;
- Facilitate dissemination and commercialization of new agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of energy from Research & Development institutions; and
- Provide information on areas and opportunities for private investment in agro-processing machines technologies and productive use of energy.
The Section will be led by an Assistant Director.
1.1.3 Irrigation Development Section
This Section will perform the following activities:-
- Advise the government on implementation and review of the National Irrigation Policy, Strategy, National Irrigation Master Plan and Regulatory Framework;
- Liaise with National Irrigation Commision and other stakeholders in all issues related to Irrigation development;
- Monitor activities carried out by National Irrigation Commission;
- Facilitate collaboration of key irrigation stakeholders at National level;
- Collect and maintain data of all irrigators and irrigation association; and
- Provide advice on all matters relating to development and management of irrigation projects in the country.
The Section will be led by an Assistant Director.