The 2022 Best Farmer has charged students, especially girls, in second cycle schools to prioritise agriculture, because its benefits were numerous.
Nana Yaw Serebour Sarpong I, having been adjudged the 2022 Best Farmer in Ghana, decided to engage the youth and encourage them to venture into anything related to agriculture because it was worth pursuing.
At an event christened “Rethink Agriculture 2023”, held at the St. Louis Senior High School, where the participating schools including Juaben SHS, Kumasi Wesley Girls SHS, Prempeh College and Ejisuman SHS among others, were tutored in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in connection with the prospects of agribusiness.
The event coincided with the official launch of the St. Louis STEM Club, under the theme: “Exploring Opportunities for Youth in the Agricultural Value Chain.”
The students were sensitised on the need to pay attention to agribusiness, since it had a lot of business opportunities.
Nana Serebour Sarpong I, who is also the Akyempimhene of the Juaben Traditional Area, expressed worry over the prevailing phenomenon where farming had been regarded as a profession for the aged.
He declared his intention to set the stage using himself as an example for the youth to change their narrative about agriculture.
The Best Farmer stressed during a media interaction that women were needed in agriculture, because when they were involved, Ghana would develop in agriculture.
Mrs. Ama Kyerewaa Benefo, Headmistress of St. Louis SHS, indicated that a report by Africa Development Bank (AfDB) indicates that, less than 25% of female students in the SHSs were majoring in STEM-related subjects.
She noted that in the last decade, the country’s education sector sought to produce graduates in different fields whose inclusion in STEM-related subjects were minimal, and that if Ghana had concentrated on agriculture, the nation would have been better off today.
Mrs. Benefo appealed to the youth to venture into agriculture, since it paid off so much.
Madam Joyce Agyare, an old student of St. Louis SHS, who delivered a talk on “Champions of Change”, implored the youth to pursue their dreams while considering agribusiness as well.
She urged the students to keep an open mind and explore the agriculture terrain and exploit the benefits therein and shame critics who make mockery of people, especially women, in agriculture.
