The Tolon District has very good investment potentials in the areas of agriculture, real estate, transportation, energy and services. In agriculture, rice and food crops production present clear opportunities for investors. Several crops are experiencing constant increases in the average land cultivated. In 1999, for instance, 7500 acres of maize were cultivated against the 5972 acres in the previous year.

Similarly, sorghum cultivation covered 8100 acres in 1999, up from 7380 acres in 1998. Some 2850 acres of cowpea were cultivated, up from the previous year’s 2750, while cassava cultivation rose to 2500 acres, against the 2029 and groundnut cultivation increased to 3450 acres. In the same manner, yam cultivation rose to 1012 acres in 1999, up from 1998’s 969 acres while soyabeans production was spread over 155 acres, up from 115 acres.

Rice production in 1999 was carried out across a total of 1400 acres, while vegetables were grown over 395 acres. Through the collaboration of UNICEF, the District Assembly and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, a number of community women farming groups have been established. Farmers have also been trained in the correct use of agro-chemicals, proper agronomic practices and the adoption of organic farming.

The district as a whole has great agricultural potential in the availability of large tracts of land, and irrigation facilities at Bontanga and Golinga. There are several major agricultural research institutions in the district as well as inland fishermen. Indeed inland fishing holds good prospects and investors in agriculture stand to make good returns on their investments.

Livestock rearing is good for investment too. The terrain in the district is relatively flat which makes it good for grazing. Improvements in health care delivery have been accompanied by extended anthrax immunization coverage. Between 1998 and 1999, 30,000 cattle, 11,000 sheep and 8,800 goats were immunized leaving the district’s livestock free of disease. Vegetable cultivation thrives well in the district as well.

Of particular importance to potential investors is the cultivation of garden eggs, in which the district excels. Real estate opportunities exist too. The primary investment potentials in this regard relate to residential accommodation for workers of government departments and hospitality facilities for other visitors.

Another area ripe for investment is the transportation sector. Transport services to convey business operators and other travelers are lacking in the district and this means there are opportunities in transportation of both goods and people. Finally, commerce in the district also opens vistas of opportunity.

Here, energy supply is important: investors are needed to set up petroleum filling stations and liquified petroleum gas stations. Besides this, there are numerous opportunities in both the retail and wholesale distributive trades for raw materials, capital goods and for consumer products.