Catholic Relief Services (CRS), with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has officially launched the Agricultural Growth and Improvement for Livelihood Enhancement (AGILE) project.
The three-year initiative launched in Tamale, capital of the Northern Region, aims to boost crop yields, increase household incomes and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farming families in the Savelugu municipality and Kumbungu district of Ghana’s Northern Region.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Country Representative of CRS Ghana, Abena Amedormey, highlighted that the agricultural sector remains a backbone of Ghana’s economy and a lifeline for millions of Ghanaians.
“The agricultural sector employs about 33 percent of the total workforce in Ghana. However, many smallholder farmers face critical challenges including erratic rainfall, land degradation and limited market access, all of which hinder their ability to thrive,” said the Country Representative.
According to the Country Representative, the AGILE project provides a direct response to these challenges with a focus on three key measures: (i) increasing the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices to improve crop yields and soil fertility; (ii) enhancing integrated water resource management, including restoring the Nawuni Sub-Catchment of the White Volta River Basin for reliable water access; and (iii) improving access to markets and inclusive financial services for smallholder farmers to boost their incomes and economic opportunities.
On her part, Ms. Vivian Hilde Opsvik – Counsellor/Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Accra – noted that the AGILE project aligns with the Embassy’s food security strategy by stimulating local food production, creating employment opportunities across agricultural value chains and improving access to nutritious food.
“I am delighted that the AGILE project will directly benefit approximately 3,325 farmers and have an indirect positive impact on over 31,000 residents across the project communities,” said Ms. Vivian Hilde Opsvik.
The AGILE Project stands as a landmark intervention in ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable water management, climate-resilient agriculture and long-term environmental conservation in Ghana. This project is implemented by CRS in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Water Resources Commission and the Savelugu and Kumbungu District Assemblies.
