Dept of Agriculture – Mbala Municipal Council

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OBJECTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT

To enhance access to agricultural inputs; development and utilisation of climate smart agricultural technologies and practices; agriculture diversification promotion; and provision and coordination of training in agriculture.

CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES

Equipping farmers with technical skills and knowledge in field and horticultural crops

Backstopping and supervision to farmers in order to provide technical guidance and support

Equipping farmers with knowledge and skills on sustainable and climate smart crop production and land management practices, with a gender-sensitive approach among smallholder farmers in Zambia

Research on Field crops as well as sustainable intensification practices and technologies among smallholder farmers that support increase in yields, while promoting green and climate-resilient nutrition sensitive agriculture

CAMPS AND BLOCKS

Training of farmers in order to ensure effective delivery of appropriate information on skills

Demonstrations and agronomic practices of farmers in order to ensure effective delivery of appropriate technologies.

Demonstrations and training of farmers in order to ensure effective delivery of appropriate information on technology

National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS)

Preparing and disseminating news articles on agricultural programmes in order to inform the public

Writing of feature articles on agricultural Programmes in order to inform and educate the public

Production of photographs in order to make them available for publications

Recording of audio data in order to facilitate information dissemination

Organising radio farm forums in order to facilitate information exchange between farmers and radio programme producers.

Liaising with agricultural stakeholders in order to keep the public abreast latest developments in the sectors

Coordinating agricultural events vested in the branch in order to achieve their objectives

Preparing agricultural literature in order to facilitate timely production of information and educational publications

Land husbandry (TSB)

Undertaking of surveys and analyses in order to identify, zone and demarcate suitable agricultural lands.

Designing and implementation of agricultural land improvements in order to promote improved land productivity and welfare of rural communities.

Identification and transmission of appropriate soil and water conservation and agroforestry technologies in order to facilitate production and productivity of land

Inspection and monitoring of farm lands in order to detect land utilisation practices and assess farm productivity

Maintenance of an up to date land husbandry database in order to ensure effective storage and retrieval of information

Development and implementation of training in land husbandry in order to impart knowledge and skills

Agribusiness and Marketing

Collection, collation and dissemination of market information within the district in order to facilitate informed decision making by clients

Development and Implementation of agribusiness programmes within the district in order to add value to primary agricultural products

Development and identification of trade promotion programmes within the district in order to facilitate fair domestic and foreign agricultural trade.

Conducting market research within the district in order to generate information.

Identification of marketing infrastructural development needs and facilitates the rehabilitation and construction of marketing infrastructure within the district in order to improve market access.

Development of sustainable agricultural financing and credit within the district in order to ensure resources are available for agribusiness and marketing

Monitoring and evaluation of agribusiness and marketing programmes within the district in order to facilitate the implementation of appropriate interventions

Linking farmers to the Input/Mechanisation Suppliers and Agricultural Financial Service Providers

Food and Nutrition

Capacity building programs in food and nutrition in order to enhance knowledge and skills to farmers

Development and implementation of food and nutrition in order to enhance house hold food security.

Monitoring and evaluation in food and nutrition in order to facilitate appropriate interventions

Research in food and nutrition in order to generate information for decision making