Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture is established as per Second Schedule of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
Vision:
A modernized, climate responsive and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Mission:
To facilitate the attainment of a modernized agriculture and food systems through the provision of demand cost effective and efficient extension services that builds capacity of actors along commodity value chains. The Department will promote/disseminate gender responsive technologies/practices that enhance productivity, build resilience and supports environmental sustainability.
General Functions and Responsibilities of the Agriculture Department
The Agriculture Department in the MMDA shall:
(a) Participate in provision of extension services in the areas of natural resources
management, rural infrastructural and small-scale irrigation in the MMDA;
(b) Assist in the formulation and implementation of Agricultural Policy for the
MMDA within the framework of national policies;
(c) Submit report on the implementation of policies and programmes to the MMDA;
(d) advise the MMDA on matters related to Agricultural development in the
MMDA;
(e) Promote extension services to farmers;
(f) Assist and participate in on-farm adaptive research;
(g) Lead the collection of data for analysis on cost effective farming enterprises;
(h) Participate in the education and enforcement of legislation on fisheries;
(i) Promote the formation of viable fishermen associations and assist in fish farming;
(j) Promote soil and water conservation measures by the appropriate agricultural
technology;
(k) Disseminate and adopt improved soil and water conservation methods;
(l) Promote agro-forestry development to reduce the incidence of bush fires;
(m) Promote an effective and integrated water management;
(n) Assist and facilitate sustained pasture and forage production and act as out
grower to farmers;
(o) Assist development of animal health services infrastructure;
(p) Facilitate the development, operation and maintenance of livestock water
supplies;
(q) Assist in developing forage production, ranges and farmlands;
(r) Encourage improvement in livestock breeds;
(s) Assist in developing early warning systems on animal diseases;
(t) Facilitate and encourage vaccination and immunization of livestock and control
of animal diseases;
(u) Advise and encourage crop development through nursery propagation;
(v) Assist in the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of small scale
irrigation schemes;
(w) Facilitate the assessment of the economic, financial and environmental viability of
providing canals;
(x) Assist the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of fish landing sites;
(y) Promote agro-processing and storage;
- i) Facilitate the development of programmes and the establishment of close
linkage between the various sub-sectors in the MMDA;
- ii) Supervise the agricultural extension staff in the field;
iii) Co-ordinate the systematic and regular training of frontline staff;
- iv) Monitor and evaluate projects;
- v) Promote investment in agriculture by assisting to identify and prepare
pre-feasibility reports;
- vi) Develop proposal writing capacity at the MMDA level;
vii) Facilitate capacity building at the district level through training,
workshops and other related activities; and
viii) Assist to supervise projects planned, designed and implemented centrally.