To inspire the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs with work-readiness skills, the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and the Mastercard Foundation have extended the Young Agripreneurs Forum (YAF) to six additional institutions.

These orientations aim to establish YAF chapters on their campuses, fostering a mindset shift towards agriculture and encouraging more young people to engage in agricultural activities.

The 6 new colleges include: C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences; Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Damongo Agricultural College; Kwadaso Agricultural College; Ejura Agric College and Mechanization Center and Ohawu Agricultural College.

The newly formed YAF associations have already embarked on intensive hands-on training in various agribusiness ventures. These include oyster mushroom production, creating recycled woven slippers from agricultural materials, honey production, and seed production.

The initiatives are designed to equip young people with essential income-generating and employable skills, enabling them to explore diverse opportunities within the agricultural sector. They also aim to empower them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs, capable of sustaining and expanding their agribusiness ventures.

The establishment of YAF chapters and the subsequent training programs represent a significant step towards fostering a new generation of innovative and entrepreneurial individuals within the agricultural sector. By providing practical skills and resources, KIC is not only promoting sustainable agriculture but also contributing to the economic empowerment of young people.

Speaking about the impact of the Forum, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director, reiterated the need for empowering young people by equipping them with relevant entrepreneurship skills that can support and enhance the agricultural sector.

“At KIC, we are committed into transforming young people into agipreneurs, by introducing them to employment opportunities within the entire agricultural value chain.”

Through these initiatives, KIC and continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving agricultural innovation and creating lasting impacts in communities by equipping young agripreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.

YAF is a student-led interactive forum where tertiary students can share and exchange ideas, interests and engage in activities pertaining to agriculture. YAF will provide capacity building and practical skills training for students, invest in changing the mindset and perceptions of young people, and position agripreneurship as an exciting career of choice.