The Agriculture & Natural Resources Department (also referred to as the Agriculture & Food Security Department) is responsible for driving agricultural development and food security initiatives within Obio/Akpor LGA. The department implements policies, supports farmers, and promotes sustainable practices tailored to the area’s urban and peri-urban realities.

1. Farmer Support & Extension Services
♦Technical support: Provides advice to crop, livestock, fishery, and poultry farmers on best practices for sustainable production
♦Extension services: Sends agric extension officers to wards to train farmers, introduce improved seeds, fertilizer use, and pest control
♦Link farmers to inputs: Connects farmers to affordable inputs like seeds, agrochemicals, and to financial institutions for loans/grants.

2. Food Production & Food Security Programs
♦Monitor local production: Oversees food production activities like poultry/egg, ruminants, fish farming, root/tuber crops, vegetables, and tree crops in the LGA
♦Manage LGA farm projects: In Obio/Akpor specifically, the chairman has mentioned working out modalities for agric projects to “optimize for the good of the people” and generate returns to the council
♦School feeding & nutrition: Participates in programs like Home Grown School Feeding to link local farmers to schools.

3. Agro-Processing & Value Chain Development
♦Reduce post-harvest losses: Oversees cottage processing centers and promotes agro-processing
♦Market surveys: Conducts monthly market surveys to track prices and supply of agric produce
♦Value chain support: Helps develop livestock, crop, and fish value chains — similar to state-level goals for integrated meat, dairy, and processing facilities.

4. Policy, Planning & Administration
♦Coordinate LGA agric activities: Implements state and federal agric policies at the grassroots level
♦Work with stakeholders: Liaises with CBN, NGOs, and other orgs on agric funding and projects
♦Youth empowerment: Runs youth-in-agric schemes and training.
♦Data & monitoring: Collects agric data, monitors projects, and reports to the LGA chairman.

5. Oversight & Regulation
♦Pest & disease control: Runs de-infestation/pest control units to protect farms
♦Quality control: Checks quality of livestock feed, fish feed, and produce sold in the LGA
♦Land use: Works with state agencies to ensure agric land is used for farming only.

Note: Obio/Akpor is urban/peri-urban, so the department also promotes _urban farming_ to boost food security, reduce market pressure, and stabilize food prices — similar to what Lagos State Agric Dev Authority advocates.

Mission of Obio/Akpor Agric Dept

“To promote sustainable food production, farmer empowerment, and rural economic development in Obio/Akpor LGA through efficient service delivery, agricultural extension, and public-private partnerships that ensure food security, job creation, and improved livelihoods.”