CROPS SUBSECTOR
To ensure the security of food supply and enhance economic growth of farmers, fishers, processors, etc, the region places much importance on agricultural development. To achieve this, the region consciously promotes development of various agricultural commodities as well as facilitates the marketing of same.
A total of 3,584 metric tonnes (maize), 12,741 metric tonnes (rice), and 68,170 metric tonnes (cassava) metric tonnes were produced year, 2010.
It is indeed a fact that the active engagement of agro-entrepreneurs comprising the large commercial producers, small and medium size entrepreneurs (SMEs) and traditional subsistent farmers with increasing interest in commercial production of agribusiness undertaking has propelled agriculture development in the region.
Table: Cropped Area of Major Crops
| Commodity | Area under
Cultivation (Ha) |
Production (Mt) | Yield (Mt/Ha), 2009 | Yield (Mt/Ha), 201 |
| Maize | 3,638 | 4,145 | 0.92 | 0.93 |
| Rice | 2,323 | 12,773 | 4.53 | 5.40 |
| Cassava | 6,834 | 67,440 | 10.47 | 10.70 |
| Tomato | 10,464 | 14,871 | 5.33* | 5.19 |
| Pepper | 5,727 | 14,595 | 2.33 | 2.41 |
| Garden Eggs | 325 | 1,902 | 3.50* | 3.43 |
| Okra | 4,447 | 12,809 | 3.42 | 3.66 |
| Lettuce* | 34 | 280 | 10.00 | 8.23 |
| Onion | 211 | 1,905 | 11.63 | 14.07 |
| Cucumber | 21 | 283 | 32.00 | 33.48 |
| Cabbage* | 238 | 15,910 | 40.00 | 35.03 |
| Watermelon | 814 | 17,350 | 33.33 | 35.67 |
- Total quantity of seed maize produced during the reporting period was 31.5MT.
- Various varieties of seed rice were also produced.
– Jasmine (10MT),
– KIP Marshall (4.92MT),
– Aromatic Short (5.822MT).
The total rice seed producers registered during the period were 9 however the mentioned production levels were recorded from only 4 farmers.