The long-held belief that Ghanaian youth are not interested in agriculture is shifting, according to Mr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited.
He said growing responses to internships and training programmes in agribusiness indicate that young people now see the sector as a viable career and business path, rather than a fallback option.
“For this year alone, 1,064 young people applied for internships with us. When we opened training for drone application in agriculture, 1,800 applied. Clearly, the mindset is shifting,” Mr. Acquaye disclosed.
The Agri-Impact CEO attributed this interest to the growing infusion of technology into agriculture. Training opportunities such as drone application, precision farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse systems, he said, are making agriculture more appealing to the tech-savvy youth.
He noted that young graduates are eager to learn how modern agricultural tools can improve yields, cut losses, and open up new business models.
“The future farmer is no longer defined by a hoe and cutlass. The future farmer is digital, entrepreneurial, and export-driven,” Mr. Acquaye emphasized.
Mr. Acquaye urged policymakers to intentionally design national service postings that align with this renewed enthusiasm. According to him, most national service placements into agriculture are unstructured, limiting the exposure and impact youth could have in the sector.
“If properly harnessed, these young people will drive Ghana’s food security and industrial growth. National service must not just be about filling spaces. It should be an incubator for agribusiness entrepreneurs,” he stressed.
Despite the rising interest, Mr. Acquaye acknowledged that challenges such as access to finance, market linkages, and post-harvest infrastructure remain significant barriers.
He stressed that without strong investment in these areas, many young agripreneurs may abandon promising ventures.
“Mindset shift alone is not enough. We need policies that connect youth to credit, insurance, and guaranteed markets. Otherwise, their enthusiasm will fade,” he warned.
Agriculture remains Ghana’s largest employer, contributing about 19% of GDP and employing nearly 35% of the workforce. Yet, the sector has struggled with an ageing farmer population, low productivity, and heavy post-harvest losses.
Hence, he argued that a surge in youth participation could reverse these trends, making agriculture not just a food security pillar, but also a driver of exports, rural industrialisation, and jobs.
Mr. Acquaye believes the current wave of youth interest signals hope, saying that, “we are standing at a turning point. If we invest in young people in agriculture today, we secure the nation’s food basket tomorrow.”
