Reverend Kofi Nyanteng, Project Coordinator of Agrinvest, has stressed the need to build stronger partnerships to unlock opportunities for the youth in agriculture.
He pointed out that by working with and emphasising mechanisation, agriculture would serve as a game changer for young agricultural entrepreneurs (Agripreneurs).
Rev Nyanteng said: “Mechanisation is a game-changer for young Agripreneurs.”
He added: “By working with service providers, technology companies and institutions, we are creating an ecosystem where youth can access affordable services, improve productivity and build sustainable agribusinesses.
“This is not just about machine, it is about creating jobs, opportunities and a brighter future for our young people.”
Rev. Nyanteng made the statement at a forum on agricultural mechanisation for the youth at Abankro in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The forum was organised by the Agrinvest, in collaboration with the Kumasi Institute for Tropical Agriculture (KITA), under the Strengthened Access to Mechanisation for Agribusinesses for Youth Employment Opportunities (SAMA), which is being funded by Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Master Foundation.
The initiative is part of the broader Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme.
The aim is to expand mechanisation services for young Agripreneurs in Ghana.
The forum was attended by participants from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Crop Doctor, mechanisation service providers, such as tractor owners and operators, rice, cassava and vegetable processors, as well as grain drying service providers.
The event served as a platform to build strategic partnerships and introduce service providers to innovative tools and technologies that can improve efficiency and service delivery to young farmers and Agripreneurs.
About 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the service providers.
Through these agreements, mechanisation services will be extended to about 5,679 young agripreneurs across the first seven districts benefiting from the initiative in the Ashanti region.
The Agrinvest also entered into two strategic partnerships to broaden the impact of the initiative.
A MoU signed with Crop Doctor will make tools and equipment available to service providers and youth groups at discounted prices under the SAMA project.
Additionally, an agreement with Franco Processing and Farms Limited, will open internship opportunities for 100 young women in rice processing and grain handling, strengthening the participation of women in the agricultural value chain.
Mr. Gregory Osei Bonsu, Ashanti Regional Extension Officer of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed happiness about the opportunities being created for young people in the agricultural value chain.
He said: “One of the biggest challenges for farmers, aggregators and processors has been access to mechanisation,” Mr. Bonsu stated, adding that “with improved access mechanisation services under this SAMA project, the region will increase the production and productivity of farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and create employment opportunities through value addition for our youth, especially young women.”
By expanding access to mechanisation, Agrinvest and KITA are breaking down one of the greatest barriers to agricultural growth for young people.
This initiative is not only expected to increase productivity, but also create decent and fulfilling jobs for the youth, especially young women.
GNA
