The mission of the department is to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood.
The department of Agriculture is the lead agency and focal point of Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, responsible for developing and executing policies and strategies for the agriculture sector within the context of a coordinated national socio-economic growth and development agenda. By means of a sector-wide approach, the department’s plan and programmes are developed, coordinated and implemented through policy and strategy frameworks.
The department has (6) agricultural extension agents (AEAs) who are the frontline staff and they conduct farm and home visits to advice farmers on farm and farming related issues and give solution to their problems.
The department headed by the Municipal Director of Agriculture conducts regular monitoring and evaluation of all agricultural programs and projects in the Municipality. He also ensures that staff of the department are abreast with modern technical knowledge by ensuring that there are regular technical backstopping on selected relevant topics.
The department has six (6) sub-sectors, which are the extension sub-sector, Crops sub-sector, Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), Livestock sub-sector, Veterinary sub-sector and the Management Information System (MIS)
Extension sub-sector
The Extension sub-sector is responsible for the overseeing of agricultural technology diffusion through the management of an extension delivery service in the Municipal. Extension programmes have been the main conduit for disseminating information on farm technologies, support rural adult learning and assist farmers in developing their farm technical and managerial skills. It is expected that extension programmes will help increase farm productivity, farm revenue, reduce poverty and minimize food insecurity.
Crops sub-sector
The crops sub-sector is responsible for the production and facilitate the processing, distribution and marketing of food, industrial and export crops; quality planting materials and the efficient use and management of soil and water resources for sustainable agriculture production. The major crops being cultivated in the Municipal include; lettuce, spring onions, cabbage, rice, maize and green pepper.
WIAD sub-sector
This sub-sector is responsible for implementing policies and programs that promotes delivery of improved technologies and information on agricultural production and post-production in an environmentally sustainable manner. This sub-sector have four Units namely: Nutrition, Food safety, Value addition and Gender/Livelihoods
It ensures the implementation of policies which are beneficial to especially women farmers and processors in the Municipal.
The sub-sector provides technical advice to farm families in crop, livestock and fish production, processing, utilization and marketing through technical officers and other stakeholders.
Livestock sub-sector
This sub-sector is responsible for promoting and sustaining poultry and livestock production for food security, employment creation and income generation through research, effective technical support, extension services, agro-business and industry, whilst ensuring that gender and environmental issues are adequately addressed.
The major farm animals reared in the municipal include sheep, goat, cattle, poultry, rabbits, and grasscutter.
Veterinary sub-sector
The Veterinary sub-sector is to ensure a stable animal health situation through the provision of quality animal health care services by public sector veterinary practitioners to enhance livestock, poultry and companion animals’ production and productivity.