The Kwadaso Agriculture College (KAC), in partnership with the Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (TUDelft) and the Kumasi Business Incubator (KBI) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has admitted the first batch of 30 students for a Horticulture and Vegetable Farming Course, aimed at nurturing more entrepreneurs in the sector.

The four-month training program dubbed “Entrepreneurship in Horticulture; Farming as a Business,” is part of a joint project initiative of TUDelft and KAC. The project named “Horticulture in Ghana for a brighter future”, is financed by the European Union Archipelago – an African-European partnership for vocational training programme.

It is an inclusive economic development programme which will help train youth and equip them with the requisite skills as well as enhance employment opportunities. It also seeks, among other things, to improve local employment opportunities based on skills gap analysis.

Expected impacts of the training programme.

The Principal of Kwadaso Agriculture College (KAC), Rev. B. A. Mensah, noted that the training programme is an important one. This is because horticulture is a great aspect of agriculture which would help brighten the future of the country.

He said the college has introduced a new technology in horticulture to help enhance studies and provide employment for the youth. Thereby, making them more resourceful to contribute to the national agricultural development.

He added that the college would review current curriculum and support participants to roll out successful projects. Mr Mensah applauded stakeholders for the wonderful initiative and encouraged all to take advantage of the programme. He expressed the hope that in spite of the possible challenges, “the programme shall go well.”

The Coordinator of TUDelft, Mrs Marjan Kreijns, reiterated the importance of training Ghanaian youth in horticulture. She said education is a vital asset in agriculture. Thus, it is important that everyone participates in the programme to make it successful. She expressed the hope that the programme would enrich the students, especially the young ones with the needed knowledge. Thereby, helping to boost the agriculture sector in Ghana in terms of productivity.

On his part, Mr Samuel Yaw Akomea, Manager of KBI, KNUST said the programme focuses on promoting farming as a business. He added that the programme will improve local employment opportunities through increasing professional skills of youth.

Support towards the programme

The National Director of Agriculture Colleges at Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Lawoetey Tettey, said since the programme is a good initiative, MOFA would fully support it.

“This initiative will make the youth more useful than before and will increase their commitment level in agriculture.”
Mr Lawoetey Tettey, National Director of Agriculture Colleges

The director advised participants not to just participate but rather move a step beyond and also concentrate on other aspects of agriculture value chain.