The Agriculture Department of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly plays a critical role in promoting sustainable agricultural development, food security, and improved livelihoods for farmers and fisherfolk across the municipality. The Department works within the framework of national agricultural policies while responding to local needs through effective planning, extension services, research, and capacity building.
Core Mandate and Functions
The Department participates in the provision of agricultural extension services, with emphasis on natural resources management, rural infrastructure development, and small scale irrigation systems. It assists in the formulation and implementation of agricultural policies and programmes of the Municipal Assembly in line with national development strategies and submits periodic reports on policy and programme implementation.
The Department advises the Municipal Assembly on all matters relating to agricultural development and actively promotes extension services to farmers, fishermen, and livestock keepers. It supports and participates in on farm adaptive research and leads the collection and analysis of data to identify cost effective farming enterprises within the municipality
Crop, Livestock, and Fisheries Development
In the area of crop development, the Department encourages improved crop production through nursery propagation and the dissemination and adoption of modern farming technologies. It promotes soil and water conservation measures, supports agro forestry development to reduce bush fires, and advances integrated water resource management practices. The Department also assists in the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of small scale irrigation schemes and facilitates the assessment of the economic, financial, and environmental viability of irrigation canals.
For livestock development, the Department supports sustained pasture and forage production, encourages improvement in livestock breeds, and assists in the development of animal health service infrastructure. It facilitates the provision and maintenance of livestock water supplies, promotes vaccination and immunization programmes, and supports the development of early warning systems for animal diseases to enhance livestock productivity and health.
In the fisheries sub sector, the Department participates in the education and enforcement of fisheries legislation, promotes the formation of viable fishermen associations, and supports fish farming initiatives. It also assists in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of fish landing sites to improve safety, hygiene, and efficiency in fish handling.
Value Addition, Capacity Building, and Investment Promotion
The Department promotes agro processing and storage to reduce post harvest losses and increase value addition. It facilitates the development of strong linkages among the various agricultural sub sectors to ensure coordinated and integrated growth. The Department supervises agricultural extension staff in the field, coordinates regular training programmes for frontline officers, and undertakes monitoring and evaluation of agricultural projects.
In addition, the Department promotes investment in agriculture by assisting in the identification of viable opportunities, preparing pre feasibility reports, and strengthening proposal writing capacity at the municipal level. It facilitates capacity building through training, workshops, and related activities, and assists in supervising centrally planned, designed, and implemented agricultural projects.
Through these interventions, the Agriculture Department remains committed to transforming agriculture into a modern, productive, and sustainable sector that contributes meaningfully to the economic development of the Jomoro Municipality and the wellbeing of its people
