The mission of the Rural Affairs Department is to provide advisory services and support to the local farming community while also promoting the sustainable development of agriculture in Malta. This can be achieved by encouraging a robust and competitive agricultural sector that respects environmental and production standards while ensuring a good standard of living for the agricultural community.

The Rural Affairs Department is made up of two interlinked Directorates: the Agriculture Directorate and the Research and Advisory Services Directorate. The Agriculture Directorate works towards the development of policies and the implementation of national and EU legislation within the sector. It also works on educational programmes, promotion, and information dissemination to increase awareness.

Conversely, the Research and Advisory Services Directorate aims to assist and support local farmers while also ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of local genetic resources. It also undertakes on research projects to continue to improve agricultural practices which are more efficient and environmentally sustainable..

Both the Agriculture Directorate and the Research and Advisory Services Directorate are engaged in crucial projects that seek to not only conserve but also boost the local agriculture sector.