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ERP MOAI

Department Of Plant Protection and soil health

Background of The department

The Department provides national technical leadership to protect crops and plant resources from pests, diseases and harmful weeds, and to improve the health and productive capacity of agricultural soils to ensure sustainable agricultural production and food security. It coordinates surveillance, management, prevention, preparedness, evidence, standards and capacity development. The department also provides training and support to farmers on best practices in plant health and sustainable soil management, contributing to increased productivity and resilience against agricultural threats.

Ms: Fadumo Yasin Salad
Director Of Plant Protection and Soil health
[email protected]

Mandate

The Department of Plant Protection and Soil Health is responsible for providing national technical leadership in protecting crops and plant resources from pests, diseases, harmful weeds, and other agricultural threats, while improving the health, fertility, and productive capacity of agricultural soils. The Department coordinates national activities related to surveillance, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, early warning, preparedness, response, evidence generation, technical standards, and capacity development to support sustainable agricultural production and food security.

Develop policies, strategies, and technical guidelines for plant protection and soil health.

 

Monitor and manage crop pests, diseases, and harmful weeds.

 

Coordinate surveillance and early warning for migratory and transboundary pests.

 

Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

 

Promote safe handling, application, storage, and disposal of agrochemicals.

 

Coordinate soil assessment, sampling, mapping, and research.

Promote soil fertility management and responsible fertilizer use.

Support soil conservation, restoration, and land rehabilitation.

Maintain plant protection and soil health data and information systems.

Provide technical training and advisory services to farmers and stakeholders.

Coordinate research, reporting, partnerships, and technical cooperation.

Support national agricultural resilience and food security initiatives.

 
 
 

Our Vision

To become the primary national institution for pest management without destroying the biodiversity and soil information management.

Our Mission

To lead coordinated, evidence-based plant protection and soil health services through early warning, integrated pest management, safe agrochemical practices, integrated soil management, national soil mapping and sustainable soil  interventions, working with farmers, federal member states and partners.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Department

  • Develop and oversee policies and strategies for plant health and soil matters in agriculture.
  • Monitor and respond to outbreaks of pests, diseases, and invasive species affecting crops.
  • Monitor the national soil information system to guide evidence-based decision-making.
  • Promote soil conservation and sustainable land management practices.
  • Promote environmentally sustainable pest control methods, including integrated pest management (IPM).
  • Supervise the implementation of national plant protection and soil health programs and projects.
  • Collaborate with research institutions to develop innovative solutions for plant and soil health challenges.
  • Provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
  • Represent the department in national and international forums on plant protection and soil health.
  • Ensure compliance with international agreements and standards related to plant and soil health.
  • Facilitate partnerships with stakeholders to strengthen plant protection and soil initiatives.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of plant protection and soil programs and recommend improvements.
  • Lead research and extension services on soil fertility enhancement and land reclamation.
  • Support the development of legal and regulatory frameworks for soil resource protection and use.
  • Contribute technical expertise to national agricultural resilience and food security initiatives.
  • Oversee staff development, resource use, monitoring, safeguards and accountable information sharing.
  • Organize risk-based field surveillance and reporting for desert locust, armyworms, quelea birds and other assigned migratory pests.
  • Maintain early warning information, contingency plans, response readiness, training and coordination with field focal points.
  • Support safe and proportionate control operations and record coverage, outcomes and environmental safeguards.
  • Prepare technical guidance and training on pesticide selection, handling, application, storage and disposal.
  • Support inventories, pesticide management information and monitoring of safe field practice.
  • Coordinate with the competent regulatory and environmental authorities; this ToR does not itself confer licensing or enforcement powers.
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  • Coordinate detection, identification, mapping and reporting of priority crop pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Develop integrated pest management advice, identification guides and farmer training with extension and research partners.
  • Refer samples to competent diagnostic facilities and support risk-based response and recovery advice.
  • Coordinate soil sampling protocols, assessment, mapping and soil researches.
  • Develop advice on integrated soil fertility management, appropriate fertilizer use, organic matter, erosion control and restoration.
  • Maintain soil health data and indicators, and support location-specific advisory services with extension teams and federal member states.
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Structure department