The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is assessing agricultural challenges in the Northern Region to guide its ongoing and planned interventions, following concerns over climate change, water shortages and low agricultural productivity.
The FAO Representative to Ghana and Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, Meshack Oguna Malo, gave the indication during a stakeholder engagement with the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) in Tamale on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The engagement brought together officials from key agricultural institutions, including the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Department, Fisheries Commission and the Regional Economic Development Planning Office, to identify priority areas requiring support.
Mr Malo said the visit was intended to obtain first-hand information on the region’s agricultural needs and development priorities to help FAO determine appropriate areas of intervention.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting food security, sustainable natural resource management, agricultural development and improved rural livelihoods.
The Regional Director of Agriculture, Hajia Hawa Musa, identified climate change, inadequate water resources and challenges with the implementation of agricultural interventions as major constraints affecting production and productivity in the region.
She called for targeted support, improved access to essential agricultural resources and sustainable interventions to strengthen farmers’ resilience.
Representatives of other institutions also highlighted challenges within their respective sectors, calling for increased technical assistance, institutional support and better coordination across the agricultural and livestock value chains.
Mr Malo assured the stakeholders that FAO would explore possible areas of intervention within its mandate, stressing that stronger institutional collaboration and information sharing were critical to addressing the challenges.
The Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, who received the delegation on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, called for stronger collaboration between FAO and government institutions to accelerate agricultural development and improve livelihoods.
He said the engagement offered an opportunity to identify practical interventions to address challenges confronting farmers and other actors in the agricultural value chain.
Mr Abudu reaffirmed the council’s readiness to work with FAO and relevant institutions to strengthen agriculture, livestock development and food security in the region.
The engagement is expected to inform FAO’s understanding of the region’s agricultural priorities and guide discussions on possible interventions.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
