For the fulfillment of its functions, the DNEA shall have the following Units:
- 1)Subdirectorate of Agricultural Extension: Its objective is to assist and substitute for the National Director in the technical and administrative management of the DNEA, contributing to the articulation of administrative, technical, and managerial processes that are conducted simultaneously and are the responsibility of the Director in strategic areas of their managerial duties.
The Subdirectorate of Agricultural Extension shall have the following functions.
1.1 Contribute to the coordination of the DNEA under a collaborative governance (gobernanza colaborativa) framework with the public/private sectors and universities, both public and private, for the fulfillment of public policies and national plans for the benefit of producers.
1.2 Facilitate the effective participation of the DNEA in the design of public policies by the competent bodies, so that they are realistic and aligned with the aspirations and needs of the agricultural sector regarding the extension service.
1.3 Contribute to the Directorate in the design, implementation, and monitoring of plans, programs, projects, and agreements of national coverage, in accordance with the goals established by the competent authorities and that fall within the purview of the DNEA.
1.4 Collaborate with the Directorate in coordination spaces at the national and regional level aimed at improving the agricultural extension service.
1.5 Manage data, technical reports, and evidence to technically support information requirements for high-level decision-making.
1.6 Assist the Directorate in participating in research, innovation, production/environment, and investment programs to benefit producers.
1.7 Contribute to the integration of managerial actions for the administration and direction of the budget assigned to the DNEA, as well as in the preparation of technical and management reports for the fulfillment of established goals.
1.8 Substitute for the director during temporary absences, assuming the National Directorate of Agricultural Extension with all its functions and responsibilities.
- 2)Sustainable Production Unit: Its objective is to facilitate agricultural extension services under a sustainable development approach in the productive, economic, environmental, and social spheres.
The functions of the Sustainable Production Unit shall be as follows:
2.1 Promote the adoption of productive technologies that ensure the transition towards agricultural production systems with high economic and productive performance, positive environmental impact, and a solid social base.
2.2 Encourage agricultural production by favoring technological development, innovation, and knowledge management for the promotion of productive practices and technologies that improve sustainability, resilience and adaptation to climate change, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
2.3 Facilitate sustainable production actions resilient to climate change, through good practices, sustainable agricultural technologies, and integrated management of soil, water, and agricultural biodiversity resources.
2.4 Keep the operational staff of the agricultural extension service updated regarding technical content and the scientific basis of the sustainable production approaches, concepts, and technologies promoted by the DNEA.
2.5 Coordinate the technical action of the operational levels of agricultural extension of the DNEA in the implementation of projects and/or programs that promote the application of sustainable productive practices and positive climate action.
2.6 Systematize the technical information generated in the adoption processes of sustainable agricultural technologies, facilitating its open access for the beneficiary population under the Law.
2.7 Technically advise the Directorate on the planning of consultative forums and technical knowledge update activities for agricultural extension service officials and the beneficiary population under the Law.
2.8 Promote strategic actions through a program for the conservation and optimal management of soil and water resources for agricultural use, providing updated technical information for producers and extension service staff.
2.9 Promote the implementation of an agro-climatic agenda within the framework of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP), and other mechanisms aimed at improving the performance of the Agricultural Sector and risk management, through a program of technical agro-climatic roundtables (mesas técnicas agroclimáticas) and early warning systems.
2.10 Advise the Directorate on the design of projects and actions for responding to extreme events that warrant a national emergency declaration.
2.11 Contribute technically to institutional planning processes, standardization, and technical support for the inclusion of sustainable production and climate-smart agriculture actions.
2.12 Generate specialized information for the formulation of public policies and the design of programs, projects, or actions oriented to climate action and sustainable production.
2.13 Promote public-private alliances that facilitate governance, collaborative work, joint agendas, the preparation of studies, the implementation of workshops, seminars, conferences, and dialogues to promote sustainable production and climate action.
2.14 Promote a permanent program for the promotion and adoption of organic production technologies for producers with certification or in the transition stage to organic production.
2.15 Support the operational bodies of the agricultural extension service regarding the supply of technical information, technological offerings, and the application of regulations for the improvement of organic agriculture processes.
2.16 Manage public investment for the promotion and support of certified or in-transition production, ensuring the use of financial resources established by Law No. 8591 and its reforms, as recognition for the management of organic environmental benefits.
2.17 Establish concrete mechanisms to support the process of providing financial and development resources for organic production, established in Law No. 8591 and its reforms.
2.18 Strengthen the state inspection service for organic agriculture by coordinating with the certification authorities of the SFE and the regional bodies of the MAG, established within the framework of the Law.
2.19 Manage and systematize sector information through a monitoring system for organic production to recognize its status and evolution.
- 3)Agromatics Unit (Unidad de Agromática): Its objective is to promote technological advances in the Agricultural Sector in emerging and innovative disciplines such as biotechnology, agrometeorology (agrometeorología), and precision agriculture, which improve productivity and reduce environmental impact, production costs, and the chemical load in agricultural production units.
The Functions of the Agromatics Unit are:
3.1 Promote the application of emerging technologies at the national and international levels in agricultural production models and value chains, in fields such as information technologies for Agro-Innovation, precision agriculture, biotechnology, the bioeconomy (bioeconomía), and agrometeorology.
3.2 Foster the creation of collaborative public-private networks that stimulate investment in advanced and emerging technologies for agricultural production models and value chains with a focus on sustainability and the mitigation of environmental impacts and climate change.
3.3 Generate comprehensive agricultural information systems for application in sustainable production models, such as soil mapping programs, tools for using satellite imagery, early warning systems, remote sensors, and climate information.
3.4 Manage public or cooperation investment for the acquisition of equipment, software, usage licenses, and the promotion of computer processes for their application in sustainable agricultural production models.
3.5 Technically advise the Directorate through the systematization of information and the generation of studies that contribute to the development of public policies for the promotion of advanced or emerging disciplines in sustainable production models.
3.6 Develop sustainable production strategies with good agricultural practices and new technological tools such as APPS, drones, and satellite imagery that promote the technification of agricultural production models.
3.7 Develop a joint knowledge management agenda in advanced and emerging technology for sustainable agricultural production, through public-private alliances with academia, institutions specialized in technology development, private companies, the productive sector, and public institutions.
3.8 Technically advise the agricultural extension bodies of the DNEA on the use of advanced and emerging technological tools for agricultural production models, including the use of biotechnology products, the bioeconomy, agromatics, information technologies for Agro-Innovation, drones, specialized equipment, and other new tools that improve the performance of the agricultural sector.
3.9 Develop short- and medium-term training plans for the agricultural extension staff of the DNEA, with a focus on advanced and emerging technologies for sustainable agricultural production models.
- 4)Agribusiness and Organizational Management Unit (Unidad de Gestión Agroempresarial y Organizacional): Its objective is to promote the transition of producers and producer organizations towards efficient, innovative, resilient, competitive, and value-added business management models, at the level of agricultural productive units and organizational bodies through public-private governance schemes.
The Functions of the Agribusiness and Organizational Management Unit are:
4.1 Foster the development of agribusiness capacities in producers, organizations, and small agricultural enterprises, through a joint agenda of public-private alliances that considers the reality of the Agricultural Sector.
4.2 Generate multi-actor governance and coordination schemes for the business training of producers and their organizations, with special emphasis on populations of rural women and youth, that promote the strengthening of their productive, commercial, organizational, and business capacities, under a value chain approach.
4.3 Ensure the existence of enabling conditions that facilitate access to business tools, technical and financial resources for productive units and organizations with a business focus that are efficient, innovative, resilient, competitive, and with value addition.
4.4 Develop protocols and guidelines that facilitate productive units and producer organizations reaching a level of business maturity for the awarding and management of financing funds for sustainable and competitive productive projects.
4.5 Promote the insertion of producers and organizations into local, regional, or national markets and commercial circuits with value addition or production differentiation.
4.6 Guide the agricultural extension bodies of the DNEA for the strengthening of organizational and business improvement processes with a focus on comparative advantages, the generation of added value, access to technical and financial support services, market information, productive infrastructure, and other elements with an agribusiness approach.
4.7 Favor the effective participation of women and generational integration, through managerial and operational advice in the implementation of actions that promote the inclusion and visibility of women producers and rural youth, and social, productive, and value-added development under equal conditions and opportunities.
4.8 Advise the dependencies of the DNEA, at the central and regional levels, in the preparation of reports, projects, bulletins, manuals, training, and publications in general, with a focus on gender perspective, social inclusion, and rural youth.
4.9 Coordinate with the Agricultural Technical Colleges (Colegios Técnicos Agropecuarios) spaces for knowledge management for innovation, the insertion of youth into the Agricultural Sector, and the transfer of sustainable agricultural technologies.
4.10 Facilitate producers' access to tax incentive mechanisms, considering the current legislation on exonerations.
(As amended by article 1 of decreto ejecutivo No. 45693 of March 16, 2026) SUB-SECTION II Of the regional and local organization of the National Directorate of Agricultural Extension (As added the previous sub-section by article 2 of decreto ejecutivo No. 45693 of March 16, 2026)