1. Name of District:-ASUTIFI DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT
2. Headquarters of District: – Kenyasi
3. Boundaries of District: – Sunyani Municipal to the North, Tano District to the North East, Dormaa District to the North West , Asunafo District to the South West and Ahafo Ano District (Ashanti Region) to the South East.
It is located between latitudes 6º 40’ and 7º 15’ North and Longitudes 2º 15’ and 2º 45’ west.
B. SIZE OF AREA:–
1. Land Area: – 1,500Km2(150,000ha)
a. Estimated Cultivated Land Area : ( 307.311 Km2) (30,731.10 ha)
b. Estimated Uncultivated Land Area : ( 717. 059 Km2) (71,705.90 ha)
c. Estimated Forest reserves Area: 475.63km2 (47,563 ha)
C. WEATHER: CLIMATE, RAINFALL PATTERN
The District lies within the wet semi-equatorial zone marked by double rainfall maxima; June and October with a mean annual rainfall between 125cm and 200cm. The first rainy season is from March to June and the second rainy season is from August to October when the District comes under the influence of the Wet Maritime Air mass.
Relative humidity is generally high ranging between 75% to 80% during the two rainy seasons and 70% to 80% during the rest of the year.
D. VEGETATION
1. Type of vegetation : – Moist Semi-deciduous forest
a. Trees: – Wawa, Odum, Mahogany, Otee, Ohenna etc.
b. Grasses: Elephant and Spear
Table 1: Forest reserve
| Name of Forest | Size (Km2 ) |
|
29.5 |
|
91.34 |
|
180.09 |
|
23.75 |
|
150.95 |
| Total | 475.63 |
These forest reserves together cover a total of about 475.63 square kilometers about 30% of the entire land surface area of the District.
E. TOPOGRAPHY:
The District lies within the forest dissected plateau physiographic region with average height of about 700 feet above sea level. The lowest part is about 650ft above sea level found along the river basins whilst the highest point is found within a chain of mountains in the north-east reaching a height of 1400 feet above sea level. These mountains form water shed for the many tributaries of the Tano River and other streams. There are out crops of gigantic rocks found over Birimian rocks basement standing about 750 – 900 feet above the broad plateau surface.
F: SOIL TYPE:
i. Kumasi Association;
ii. Asuansi-Kumasi / Offin Association;
iii. Hwidiem Association
iv. Akumadan-Bekwae/Oda Complex Association; and
v. The Batia Associations;
vi. Bediesi Sutawa-Bejua Compound Association
vii. Birim-Awaham/Chechewere Kakum Association
Each Association has its own characteristics and the crops it supports as discussed below.
(I) KUMASI ASSOCIATION
These soils are recommended for tree crops such as cocoa, coffee, citrus, oil palm and pear. Food crops such as maize, legumes, cassava, plantain and cocoyam also do well on it. Where this soil occurs on valley bottom, they are recommended for the cultivation of rice, sugar cane and vegetables. These soils are found in the South East of the District around Asikasu.
(II) ASUANSI KUMASI / OFFIN ASSOCIATION
These soils are like Kumasi Association but differ in their rock basement. They are underlined by Dahomeyan rocks and not suitable for mechanized cultivation. They can also support cocoa only for a limited period of time but are excellent for semi-perennial food crops like plantain etc. The soil occurs around Nsuta, Agrave and Gambia No.1.
(III) HWIDIEM ASSOCIATIONS
These soils occur along the Goaso-Tepa major road around Nkaseim, Bronikrom, Hwidiem and extending to Kenyasi. These soils respond to phosphorus and other fertilizer application. They are good for the cultivation of food crops such as plantain, cassava and oil palm.
(IV) AKUMADAN – BEKWAE / ODA COMPLEX ASSOCIATION
This soil type is the largest in the soil occurring around Werekokrom, Biaso and Atwidie, Kensere and Goatifi among others. The soils in this Association are suitable for a wide range of arable crops including maize, cassava, plantain, cocoyam and vegetables. When the soils occur on upland and slopes, trees crops like cocoa, citrus and cola are recommended. On valley bottoms as at Kensere, rice and sugar cane cultivation is recommended.
(V) BATIA ASSOCIATION
These soils are like (iv) above but require proper management. The soils respond well to fertilizer application. Twabidi, Mankesim and Tenso fall within this soil zone.
(VI) BEDIESIE – SUTAWA – BEJUA COMPOUND ASSOCIATION
Soils of this Association have little Agronomic values but recommended for forest reserves and wildlife conservation. Major part of this soil type is within the Asukese Forest Reserve. Some few series within this soil association can however support food crops with proper management.
(VII) BIRIM – AWAHAM / CHECHEWERE KAKUM ASSOCIATION
These soils are recommended for vegetables, legumes, rice and sugar cane. They occur along the banks of the Tano River with settlements like Sienchem, Mehame, Ntotroso all falling within this zone. It could also support maize and food crops with good management.
Table: 2 Rivers /streams
| NUMBER | NAME OF RIVER | MAJOR | MINOR (STREAM ) |
| NSUBIN | MAJOR | ||
| NTOTRO | MAJOR | ||
| GOA | MAJOR | ||
| BIASO | MAJOR | ||
| TANO | MAJOR |
The District is drained by Tano River and its many tributaries which include Nsubin, Goa and Ntotro rivers exhibiting a dendritic pattern. These youthful fast flowing rivers have cut up the plateau surface giving rise to the dissected nature of the plateau
H. POPULATION:
Table: 3 Total Population of Area
| Est. Population |
|
I. TOWNS AND VILLAGES
The District has a total of 117 settlements. There are four paramount’s, namely: Kenyasi No.1 Kenyasi No.2, Hwidiem, and Acherensua; Nine Area Councils and 147 Unit Committees. Kenyasi, Ntotoroso-Gyadu, and Hwidiem are urban by population standards (Population above, 5,000). It depicts a rural-urban split of 85% rural and 15% urban.
J. AGRICULTURE
A variety of crops ranging from cash to food crops grow well in the District. Crop farming constitutes the major source of income in the District, and accounts for about 50% of all incomes. The major crops cultivated in the District include cassava, maize, cocoyam, oil palm, cocoa, vegetables legumes and plantain. The District is one of the leading producers of plantain in the nation. The area in addition has great potential for the cultivation of sugarcane and rice around Sienchem, Kensere, Mehame and Ntotroso among others. Coffee and oil palm could also be grown on a large scale.
| Table 4: Comparative Production Figures (2009-2010) | |||||||||
| Crop | Area Cropped (Ha) | Average Yield (Mt/ha) | Production (Mt) | ||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | % Change | 2009 | 2010 | % Change | 2009 | 2010 | % Change | |
| Maize | 7,630 | 7,480 | -2.00 | 1.50 | 1.73 | 15.16 | 11,462 | 12,940 | 12.90 |
| Rice | 160 | 180 | 12.00 | 1.72 | 2.00 | 16.61 | 274 | 380 | 31.18 |
| Cassava | 13,120 | 13,620 | 3.83 | 17.35 | 16.83 | -2.99 | 227,605 | 229,225 | 0.71 |
| Yam | 180 | 160 | -12.22 | 12.50 | 12.65 | 1.22 | 2,249 | 2,024 | 10.02 |
| Cocoyam | 12,550 | 12,620 | 2.80 | 6.85 | 7.08 | 3.33 | 85,991 | 89,350 | 3.91 |
| Plantain | 17,660 | 18,160 | 2.80 | 16.09 | 17.69 | 9.98 | 284,064 | 321,250 | 13.09 |
| Tomato | – | 850 | – | – | 4.8 | – | 4,080 | – | |
| Pepper | – | 690 | – | – | 1.53 | – | 1,056 | – | |
| Garden Eggs | – | 140 | – | – | 3.10 | – | 434 | – | |
Source: SRID/RADU
AQUACULTURE
Fishing is not popular in the District even though the Tano River is stocked with abundant fish. For superstitious reasons, this fish is not eaten. Fishing is however done on a small scale from small rivers like Goa and Ntotro to supplement protein sources in the district. Aquaculture is being promoted in the District.
K. POTENTIAL OF DISTRICT
POTENTIALS
There is however vast potentials which when properly managed would help develop the district. These include the following:
(i) Gold, Diamond and other mineral deposits at Wamahinso, Nkrankrom and Kenyasi.
(ii) Vast Forest Reserves (about 475.63km2) stocked with timber and other forest products.
(iii) Large quantities of Clay and Sand deposits
(iv) Good soil of high agricultural value
(v) Perennial rivers like Tono, Nsubin, Goa and Ntotro rivers etc.
P. MARKETS
| NO | Name Of Market | TYPE OF MARKETS | MARKETS DAYS |
| 1 | Kenyasi | Major | Thursdays |
| 2 | Hwidiem | Major | Tuesdays |
| 3 | Nkasiem | Minor | Friday |
| 4 | Dadisoaba | Minor | Fridays |
| 5 | Acherensua | Minor | Tuesdays |
Q. ACTIVE FBOS/GROUPS /ASSOCIATIONS
| Name of District | Total No. of FBOs | No. of Males | No. of Females | No. of FBOs engaged in Enterprises | No. of FBOs with Bank account | Number of FBOs with Constitution | ||
| Crops | Livestock | Processing | ||||||
| Asutifi | ||||||||
| 4 | 14 | 51 | X | 4 | 3 | |||
| 2 | 27 | 13 | x | 2 | 1 | |||
| 12 | 177 | 253 | x | 12 | 10 | |||
| Total | 18 | 218 | 317 | 18 | 14 | |||
S. PROCESSING SITES
| NO. | NAME OF GROUP /INDIVIDUAL | LOCATION | NO. OF MALES | NUMBER OF FEMALES | TOTAL | SIZE OF OPERATION |
| 1 | ENSO NYAME YE GARI PROCESSING GROUP | DUPRI I | – | 4 | 4 | SMALL SCALE |
| 2 | GARI PROCESSING GROUP | DUPRI II | – | 5 | 5 | SMALL SCALE |
| 3 | AMAMA SO GARI PROCESSING GROUP | AMAMASO | – | 2 | 2 | SMALL SCALE |
| 4 | AMAMA –AGYA GARI PROCESSING GROUP | AMAMA –AGYA | 2 | 3 | 5 | SMALL SCALE |
| 5 | AMAMA CENTRE GARI PROCESSING GROUP | AMOMA CENTRE | – | 4 | 4 | SMALL SCALE |
| 6 | AMOMA –ANO GARI PROCESSING GROUP | AMOMA –ANO | – | 3 | 3 | SMALL SCALE |
| 7 | BISEASE GARI PROCESSING GROUP | BISEASE | – | 4 | 4 | SMALL SCALE |
| 8 | NYAME BEKYERE GARI PROCESSING GROUP | RESETTLEMENTNTOTROSO | 5 | 10 | 15 | MEDIUM SCALE |
| 9 | NYAME BEKYERE GARI PROCESSING GROUP | ASEMPANAYE | 1 | 13 | 14 | MEDIUM SCALE |
| 10 | SUBRISO GARI PROCESSING GROUP | SUBRISO | 1 | 25 | 26 | MEDIUM SCALE |
| 11 | MUSLIM FARMERS ASSOCIATION /GARI PROCESSING GROUP | ATWIDIE –KENYASI NO. 3 | 3 | 12 | 15 | MEDIUM SCALE |
V. SPECIAL PROJECTS
a. Cocoa Hi-Tech –
Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC). The Programme is managed and controlled from the Asunafo North District
b. WAAPP: Cassava Demonstration / Multiplication Programme
2 acres demonstration farms planted at Mehame and Kwahu No. 2.
c. Youth In Agriculture Programme:
So far a total of 100 acres of maize and 8 acres of rice have been established.
- d. RTIMP Programme:
(i) Cassava
Type of varieties: AFISIAFI
BANKYEHEMAA
NKABOM
IFAD
ESAMBANKYE
So far 800 tertiary farmers have been supplied with planting materials to cultivate a total acreage of 90 acres.
(ii) Cocoyam Multiplication
No of farmers involved: 20
No of acres covered: 10
Stage of Development – So far 8.5 acres planted have germinated and are in good condition. The plants are doing well in the field.
X. OPERATIONAL AREAS AND ZONES IN THE DISTRICT
| ZONE NAMES | |
| 1 | KENYASI |
| 2 | GAMBIA |
| 3 | NTOTROSO |
| 4 | HWIDIEM |
| ZONES | OPERATIONAL AREAS | ||
| KENYASI | |||
| KENYASI NO.1 | |||
| KENYASI NO.2 | |||
| GOAMU-CAMP | |||
| OBENGKROM | |||
| GAMBIA | GAMBIA NO.1 | ||
| GAMBIA NO.2 | |||
| KENSERE | |||
| MAHAME | |||
| DADIESOABA | |||
| SIECHEM | |||
| NTOTROSO | NTOTROSO | ||
| WAMAHINSO | |||
| HWIDIEM | HWIDIEM | ||
| WOROMUSO | |||
| ACHERENSUA | |||
| NKASIEM | |||