That agriculture plays a very important role in the economic development of the nation, the region and for that matter the district cannot be over-emphasized. The district’s economy is purely rural and dominated by agriculture. The other economic activities of any importance are commerce, agro-based small-scale industries and income generating activities.

Agriculture is dominated by small-scale farmers whose farm holdings do not exceed two hectares. These farmers produce primary produce mainly for home consumption. Main crops produced include millet, sorghum, beans, maize, rice and groundnuts. Other food crops cultivated in the area include cassava, yam and vegetables (okro, tomatoes and pepper).

Industrial Crops

The cultivation of some industrial crops in the district is entirely a new phenomenon. The principal industrial crop grown extensively in the district currently is cotton. This is mostly cropped among farmers in the Chereponi area. A private company, Nulux Plantations assists farmers to cultivate a minimum of two hectares each. Other industrial crops grown in the area are groundnuts, soya-bean and tomatoes.

Export Crops

The district is noted for the production of tuber crops such as yam and cassava. Yam is grown extensively in the area and greater quantities of the produce is sold to prospective buyers from the neighbouring districts or transported to the south in large mummy trucks to be sold.

Beans are also widely cultivated around the Chereponi area of the district and mostly sold to market women from Yendi, Tamale, Bolgatanga and other neighbouring districts. A large quantity of the rice cultivated in the district is normally sold out to outsiders leaving a little for home consumption.

Cash Crops

The main cash crops grown are cotton, soya-bean, tomatoes and some cashew plants. With the exception of cotton, the cultivation of the rest is, however, is still on trial basis.

Livestock and Poultry

It is common feature for every farmer to keep animals and poultry. The district is blessed with a good breed of cows, sheep and goats. The pig is one important animal in the district as it is mostly used during funerals. Only a few of these ruminants mentioned are reared on commercial basis.

Fishing

The district is abound with resources of the River Oti and its tributaries. People living around these rivers do some amount fishing, especially the Ewes (The Battors) who are mostly fishermen. Fishing is not done extensively and as such the catch is not heavy. The fish is normally smoked by the women and sold to the people of the area or exported to some neighbouring districts.