AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
BACKGROUND
Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate (AESD) is one of the Technical Directorates of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).
VISION
To modernize agriculture through the adoption of best mechanisation methods/practices to efficiently produce food with minimum post harvest losses in consonance with sound and sustainable environmental conservation.
MISSION
To ensure availability, easy access and efficient utilization of appropriate farm machinery, equipment, tools and all other agriculture engineering technologies for increased food production along the entire value chain. This would be accomplished through the development, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of agricultural engineering related policies/programmes/projects, laws and regulations consistent with sound and sustainable environmental conservation practices.
FUNCTIONS
The four core functions of AESD as a technical Directorate of MOFA at the national level are: Invitation, formulation and review of agricultural engineering policies and programmes Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation of developed policies and programmes in agricultural engineering related activities. Provision of technical backstopping/capacity building to the Private sector and the Regional and District MOFA staff in support of technology utilization and policy/programme implementation in agricultural engineering. Advise MOFA management (Hon. Minister and Chief Director) on agricultural engineering related issues.
RESPONSIBLE
Identification, selection and promotion of farm machinery/equipment and tools needed to reduce drudgery in agricultural production, processing, storage, and other related activities especially for small scale operators. Sourcing, collating, processing and storing of data/information on agricultural engineering related technologies and disseminating these technical information to farmers and the general public to help them make informed decision on their investment choices Organisation, coordination and monitoring of field performance trial/demonstration and testing/evaluation of all new agricultural machinery, equipment and tools intended for use in the country to establish their suitability under local conditions prior to any large-scale importation or local manufacture. Ensuring that agricultural machinery importers/agents/ dealers and local manufactures provide adequate and reliable after-sales back up services for their products sold out to farmers. Introduction and popularization of Animal Traction Technologies as a mechanization or farm power option for small-and medium-scale farmers in suitable areas of the country, particularly those with high livestock populations Coordination of training programmes for agricultural machinery operators/ farmers/ owners in the right methods and techniques of operation and applications in order to increase its economic life span and minimize environmental degradation. Coordination of the study, adaptation or modification, the introduction and adoption of any foreign mechanisation practices and technologies that may be found useful to the country’s agricultural requirement Promotion of the best postharvest management technologies and practices including handling, drying, storage, processing and to minimize post-harvest losses of agricultural losses of agricultural produce. Promotion of best soil and water conservation engineering practices including earth bunds dykes, erosion/run-off control, terraces etc for optimum crop growth. Collaboration with all national research institutions, the Universities and other MDAs in the development, dissemination, and application of appropriate and suitable mechanisation or agricultural production and its related activities.



SERVICE	TIME FRAME
Training and Capacity Building	2 weeks
Technical Information and Advisory services	2 days
Technical Assistance (Installations, field layout and design, Equipment demonstration and field performance trails)	2 weeks
Recommendation for Tax/Value Added Tax and National Health Insurance Levy	2 days
Processing of Application to access Agricultural Machinery/Equipment under Government Hire Purchase Scheme (only when these Machinery/ Equipment are available and the public is notified through the dailies)