MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

DIVISION OF LIVESTOCK AND VETERINARY SERVICES

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND MARKETING

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

HUMAN RESOURCES

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT

AUDIT

Background

The Department of Agricultural Research and Extension (AREX), in  the Ministry of Agriculture  was constituted in the year 2001 after the merger of the Department of Agricultural Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) and a major portion of the former extension and technical department (Agritex). The department is headed by a Director and underpinned by  three Deputy Directors each in charge of an operational area. The Director reports to a Principal Director, based at Ministry Headquarters.  The department has 16 research and services stations and institutes, with various sub-stations under these to make a total of 32 units.  Extension is provided through eight (8) provincial offices, supported by 57 District offices, with frontline staff based in the Wards.  In addition, extension staff has been placed to service Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan areas.  There are over 8,000 posts in AREX that range from the Directorate, through heads of cost centres, officers both in research and extension, technical and office support staff, frontline extension cadre to general hands on stations.

Mandate

Through its institutes, stations, units, provincial and district offices, AREX mandate is to carry out research and development (R & D), provides regulatory, advisory and technical services, farmer training, food technology R&D (including post harvest processing, product development) dissemination of technologies and, managing and advising on biodiversity and genetic conservation for sustainable farming “Cultivate and Take Care”. 

Mission

To facilitate increased agricultural production to improve peoples’ livelihood (food security, income generation, poverty alleviation) and for sustainable socio-economic development.

Philosophy

Excellency in the provision of agricultural technologies, technical and professional support services.

 Values

• Scientific integrity and excellence
• Co-operation and collaboration
• Stakeholder focus and sensitivity
• Honesty and ethical behaviour
• Maintenance of diverse and healthy ecosystems
• Diverse perspectives and knowledge – traditional, experiential and scientific.
• A desire to learn from each other, farmers and from stakeholder

Functions

Head Office

Research Stations

Provinces

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