BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

The Kumasi Metropolitan area has an approximate area of 254 square kilometres and it is located between latitudes 6⁰35” and 6⁰4”N and longitudes 1⁰30” and 1⁰35” E. It shares boundaries with the Kwabre District to the north, Atwima Kwanwoma and Atwima Nwabiagya District to the west, Ejisu-Juaben Municipal to the east and Bosomtwe District to the south.

POPULATION

The current population is estimated at about 1,517,000, with a growth rate of 2.5% per year.

LAND USE

• Total Land Area – 254 sq. km.
• Total Arable Land Area – 15,920 ha
• Area under cultivation – 11,930 ha
• Percentage of available farmland – 74.9 %
• Land Ownership- Stool, leasehold, family land, share cropping, (Abunu or Abusa)
• Limitations to availability of farmland – massive infrastructural development is fast limiting the agriculture, making sedentary agriculture a preferred agricultural option.

VEGETATION

The vegetation of the metropolis falls within the moist semi-deciduous section of the South-East Ecological zone.

CLIMATE

The Kumasi metropolis falls within the sub-equitorial type of climate and is characterised by average temperatures ranging from 21.5⁰C to 30.7⁰C.

Average annual rainfall is 625m with peaks of 214.3mm and 16.2mm in June and September respectively. The rainfall pattern is generally good and evenly distributed.

The average humidity is about 84.16% at 09.00 GMT and 60% at 15.00 GMT.

SOIL

The major soil type of the Metropolis is the Forest Ochrosol.

TOPOGRAPHY

The Metropolitan area is dominated by the middle Precambrian Rock. It is within the plateau of the South-West physical region which ranges between 250-300 metres above sea level. The topography is generally undulating.

DRAINAGE

The major rivers and streams in the metropolis include SubIn, Wewe, Susan, Aboabo, Oda Owabi, Suntre, Akrubu, Acheamponmene and Asuoyeboa.

COMPONENTS AND ROLES OF MOFA IN KUMASI METROPOLIS

MOFA in Kumasi consists of three main components based on the activities executed. These are:

1. Extension
2. Statistics, Research and Information Division (SRID)
3. Veterinary Services – including Field, Clinical &  Abattoir services

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

• Facilitate modernization of agricultural production to achieve food self – sufficiency and food security through dissemination of appropriate improved technology, adoption for sustainable vibrant agriculture and other appropriate technical services to beneficiaries (i.e. farmers, processors, agricultural input dealers and farm produce traders) – farmers include those in livestock production, crop production, aquaculture and agro forestry.
• HIV/AIDS Campaigns and Gender Issues are included in the activities of Extension staff.
• Group Formation & Sustainability: Forums are organized for existing groups on group sustainability and the formation of new farmer groups.
• Staff Training: Training is organized for AEAs, DDOs and DDA. This is intended to upgrade technical staff’s skills and knowledge in relation to technical issues.
• Home & Farm Visits: Home and Farm Visits are carried out by AEAs, DDOs, and the MDA to monitor progress of all agricultural activities.
• Technology Transfer: AEAs and DDOs transfer their knowledge to farmers during their daily visits to farmers.

STATISTICS, RESEARCH AND INFORMATION DIVISION (SRID):

• This is to ensure the availability of timely, reliable and relevant data and information on agriculture.
• It is responsible for the collection of rainfall data, listing of farmers, crop production data, livestock census, market information on farm produce and inputs.

VETERINARY SERVICES: Staff are located at the abattoir, the veterinary clinic and the field. There is collaboration between the private and public veterinary services.

Abattoir Activities:

• Conduct Ante mortem inspection of livestock destined for slaughter and trade livestock movement.
• Conduct Post mortem meat inspection on all slaughtered livestock.
• Compile and report all zoonotic and scheduled diseases detected
• Undertake follow-ups and monitoring of disease conditions detected during meat inspection.
• Research into abattoir-based diseases of public health importance.

Field Activities:

• Conduct Vaccination against CBPP in cattle, PPR in sheep/goats and rabies in dogs, cats and monkeys.
• Conduct on job, field training of veterinary public health staff and butchers on emergency diseases like ASF, CBPP etc., Meat and food hygiene, and HACCP concept.

Clinic Activities:

• Carry out treatment of reported cases of ill health in farm animals and pets.

ACTIVITY AREAS

The various areas of activity include:

1. LIVESTOCK – Activities in this area includes: Poultry, Piggery, Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Non-Traditional animals, e.g. Grasscutter, Snail, and Beekeeping. Activities of staff in this area are mainly:

• Education on group formation
• Housing
• Farm budget preparation and record keeping
• Identification, selection and management of breeding animals
• Feed resource development.

LIVESTOCK CENSUS

Sheep distributed to farmers under the Credit-in-Kind Scheme

Source: MOFA- KMA, 2009

Sheep distributed to farmers under the Credit-in-Kind Scheme

1. FISHERIES (AQUACULTURE): Activities here include pond construction, stocking, feeding and other pond management activities.

Fishermen drawing their harvesting nets

Fish catch landed from ponds

Catfish being smoked

Well constructed fish pond at Akate Farms in Kumasi

1. CROP PRODUCTION: Staff activities include education on the use of improved varieties, line planting, reducing post harvest losses, safe and efficient use of agrochemicals etc. Crops that are produced include the following:

Vegetables – Cabbage, Carrots, Spring Onions, Green Pepper, Lettuce, Cucumber, French beans

Root & tubers – Plantain, Cassava, Yam,

Cereals – Rice, Maize

Non-Traditional – Mushroom, Grass cutter and Snails

Horticultural – Flowers

A cabbage farm at Gyinase

Metro Director having discussion with a vegetable farmer

1. 4. MARKETING

a)      Farm input distribution: Although the sale of farm inputs has been privatised staff are involved in the distribution of inputs

b)     Sale of Foodstuffs

1. 5. PROCESSING / VALUE ADDITION

a)      Meat / Milk – Sausage, Asamoah Yamoah Poultry products

b)     Foodstuff

c)      Gari processing at Anloga, Industrial food processing- Golden web at Atonsu.

6. COLLABORATION: There is close collaboration between MOFA and

d)     NGOs such as Self Help

e)      Educational Institutions such as KNUST, Kwadaso Agricultural College etc.

MAJOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTED: Livestock Development Project

AGRICULTURAL INPUT SALES

The metropolis has become a hub for the sale of agricultural inputs in the sub-region. The agro-inputs being traded include agrochemicals, fertilizers, irrigation equipment and farm implements. There are 20 agro-input importers and distributors and over 300 retailers in the metropolis. Most of the agro-input retailers’ shops are concentrated at the Kumasi Kejetia bus terminal.

The major agro-input dealers include: Messrs Sefa and Jane Agro-chemical, Bentronic Agrochemicals, Chinese Woman, Obek, Kaakyire Badu Agrochemical, Kumark, Enepa and K. Badu Agrochemical

MAJOR MARKETS

MARKET                                             AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

Central Market                                  All commodities

Asafo Market                                     Fish, Foodstuffs

Asawasi Market                                Maize, Cola, Groundnuts

Bantama Market                               Foodstuffs

Anwona Market                                Processed cassava (Gari and Starch)

Tafo Market                                       Foodstuffs

Mayanka Market                              Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs & their meats

European Market                              Exotic Vegetables

Race course                                        All commodities

AGRICULTURAL POTENTIALS/OPPORTUNITIES

• Presence of perennial water bodies for irrigation and domestic water supply
• Adequate rainfall amount and even distribution
• Suitable soil for cultivation of a wide variety of food and cash crops
• Large potential labour force
• Presence of NGOs and Development Organisations