EU and FAO to strengthen resilience of over 12,600 farmers amid dry spell in Northern Ghana

In response to the prolonged dry spell affecting thousands of farmers in Northern Ghana, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the European Union (EU), is rolling out a series of interventions to address food insecurity and support agricultural recovery in six targeted districts: North East Gonja, North Gonja, Central Gonja, Bongo, Kasena Nankana West, and Bunkpurugu Nakpanduri. These combined efforts, under the EU Food Security Response in Northern Ghana, in partnership with the Government of Ghana, aim to support over 12,600 farmers to mitigate the immediate impacts of the prolonged dry spell while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in affected communities.

As part of the response in the six districts, two Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions on improved grain storage technologies will be conducted to enhance the capacities of value chain actors, focusing on seed and grain producers. These trainings will provide knowledge on post-harvest handling of grains such as maize and millet, aiming to reduce food loss both at the farm and at storage centres.

The project will promote dry-season vegetable production by providing capacity development on climate-adapted farming practices and inputs, including vegetable seeds (tomato, leafy greens, etc.) to smallholder farmers in the six target districts. This initiative aims to diversify and increase income sources for farmers while improving household nutrition, contributing to sustainable agricultural production. Off-season vegetable cultivation is due to start in October.

“The EU’s collaborative efforts with FAO and the Government of Ghana reflect our commitment to strengthening food security and supporting sustainable agriculture in Ghana,” said Irchad Razaaly, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana. “Our goal is to ensure that farmers, especially those most affected by the drought, receive the support they need to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to a more food-secure future.”

Looking ahead, FAO’s efforts will include interventions on livestock and poultry production, pest control, and providing alternative livelihoods to mitigate the impact of the crisis on vulnerable smallholders. These interventions will ensure that farmers and vulnerable groups, such as women and people living with disabilities, are equipped to recover and build resilience against future climate shocks, ultimately improving food security.

These interventions are part of a broader strategy by FAO and the EU to ensure the resilience of agricultural systems in Northern Ghana and address the growing food security challenges posed by the dry spell.

Priya Gujadhur, the FAO Ghana Representative ai, stated that this collaborative effort with the EU ensures that vulnerable farmers can recover from the dry spell, restoring food security and strengthening their capacity to withstand future shocks.

Earlier this year, FAO and the EU delivered 118,000 kg of maize seeds, 3,000 kg of sorghum foundation seeds, and 540 kg of millet foundation seeds to support 12,600 smallholder farmers. This also included 1,560,000 kg of NPK fertilizer and 700,000 kg of urea fertilizers to boost the productivity of their yields.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
George Koranteng Danso
Digital Communication Specialist
FAO Ghana
George.korantengdanso@fao.org
+233 (0)24 5640024

Abdul-Kudus Husein
Press and Information Officer
European Union in Ghana
Abdul-Kudus.HUSEIN@eeas.europa.eu
+233 (0)20 1889118

Note to Editors:
In 2023, the European Union launched a €10 million Food Security Response Project in Northern Ghana, in partnership with FAO and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). The project aims to support over 10,000 smallholder farmers affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and increasing climate variability.

In early 2024, maize seeds, sorghum foundation seeds, and millet foundation seeds, along with NPK and urea fertilizers, were distributed to 12,600 smallholder farmers to support the 2024 planting season.

In August 2024, the Government of Ghana declared a crisis situation as a result of a prolonged dry spell, which has severely impacted agricultural activities, particularly in Northern Ghana.

The EU Food Security Response Project in collaboration with FAO and the Government of Ghana, is accelerating efforts to mitigate the effects of the dry spell. The project will focus on boosting livestock and poultry production, and promoting dry-season vegetable cultivation, offering alternative livelihoods to the affected farmers and building resilience against future climate shocks.