The principal functions of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) shall be:

(a) To promote and encourage the development of all phases of the agricultural, pastoral, and horticultural industries; and
(b) To promote and encourage the growing of bananas, citrus, copra, pineapples and other fruit, market garden and other vegetables and stock and poultry; and
(c) To increase the production of and to promote and encourage the marketing and sale of those products.

Over the years, MoA functions have evolved to include strengthening household and National food security and nutrition, research and development into crop and tree species and improved agricultural production methods, including livestock, as well as improving biosecurity to cope with border protection challenges.  MoA has a specific division dedicated to oversight and enforcing national biosecurity regulations as well as complying with international biosecurity agreements and conventions that the Cook Islands have signed.