The Department of Agriculture (DOA) functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and the DOA is one of the largest government departments with a high profile community of agricultural scientists and a network of institutions covering different agro ecological regions island wide. The objectives of the DOA are focused on maintaining and increasing productivity and production of the food crop sector for the purpose of enhancing the income and living condition of the farmer and making food available at affordable prices to the consumer. The major functions of the DOA include research, extension, production of seed and planting material, regulatory services related to plant quarantine, soil conservation and pesticides. The management structure of DOA consists of three research institutes; Rice Research and Development Institute. Field Crops Research and Development Institute, Horticultural Crops Research and Development Institute and six technical service centers; Seed Certification and Plant Protection Center, Seed and Planting Material Development Center, Extension and Training Center, Socio Economics and Planning Center, Natural Resource Management Center, Progress Monitoring and Evaluation Unit together with three support services; Engineering Division, Finance Division and Administration Division.