The Atiwa West District which lies within the moist semi-deciduoos forest has two rainfall patterns with annual rainfall ranging from 1,250mm to 1,750mm. The atmospheric temperature is fairly uniform through-out the year, ranging between 26 oC and 36 oC. It is estimated that 60% of the economically active population is engaged in the agricultural sector. These are catered for by fourteen (15) agriculture extension officers. Majority of the settlements within the district engage in agricultural activities apart from few urban centres. The adoption of scientific farm practices is high among literate farmers and has resulted in increased.

The major crops grown in the District are Cocoa, Maize, Cassava, Plantain, Oil palm and Vegetables. Cocoa and Oil palm dominate as the Major cash crops. The major crop producing areas in the District are The Ahankrasu, Sankobenase ,Akakum, Adwadurosu, Larbikrom, Akukuso, Awuronsua, Abakoas, Abakoase-Subriso, Tiwia-Subrisu, and the Major Livestock producing areas are Kwabeng, Abomoso, Fremponso, MbraimSekyere, Akropong, and Tumfa. Post harvest loses is estimated to be between 10-20% of total production and causes of such loses is attributed to bad storage structures, poor preservation and storage practices.

Slash and burn and mixed cropping are the types of farming practices practiced in the district. The most common crop pests and diseases prevalent in the district are the black pod of cocoa, Insects, nematodes, weeds and fungi diseases and the Major diseases affecting livestock are PPR Helminthiasis, New Castle. The appropriate insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are recommended to farmers for spraying in order to control the diseases and pest.

Cocoa is the most important crop in the District. The pests and diseases that affect crops in the district are insects, nematode, weeds and fungi diseases. The measures that are taken to control these diseases and pests include appropriate insecticides, herbicides and fungicides recommended to farmers for spraying.

Livestock and Poultry

The livestock sector is not pronounced as in the crop sub – sector. Every household keeps few animals and small ruminants. The sub-sector is divided into two sections; Animal production and Veterinary services. The Major animals reared are; sheep, goat, poultry, cattle, pigs. Common diseases found are (PPR) Pest de Petit Ruminants Heminthiasis for sheep and goats, fowl pox and new castle for poultry.

Post Harvest Losses (Agro - Based)

Post harvest losses, arising mainly as a result of poor storage structures, inadequate market for produce and bad road network are estimated to be between 10-20 of total production.

Processing of farm produce especially gari is in its infancy. The District experience heavy loses. Now with the assistance of European Union, one new multipurpose Gari and Corn mill processing Machine has been installed one at New Jejeti. A modern palm Kernel processing Machine also funded by European Union has also been installed at Frimponso. The percentage of post harvest loses is between 10 – 20%. The agriculture related problem that are faced in the District include; high cost of farming inputs, low pricing of produce during peak of harvest, untimely supply of inputs for farmers and farm lands are destroyed during small scale mining.

Illegal Mining Menace

Illegal mining (Gallamsey) has been a major challenge to agriculture in the District as vast arable lands have been lost to mining whiles water bodies used for irrigating vegetable farms are also polluted with toxic mercury and other chemicals.

Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs)

The Department of Co-operative has sensitized the farmers in the District to form groups to create an opportunity for them to have access to credits and loans from the financial institutions to expand/boast their production.