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;

1. i) Facilitate the development of programmes and the establishment of close

linkage between the various sub-sectors in the MMDA;

1. ii) Supervise the agricultural extension staff in the field;

iii) Co-ordinate the systematic and regular training of frontline staff;

1. iv) Monitor and evaluate projects;
2. v) Promote investment in agriculture by assisting to identify and prepare

pre-feasibility reports;

1. 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.