Reverend Kofi Nyanteng, Project Coordinator of Agrinvest, has underscored the need for stronger partnerships to expand opportunities for young people in Ghana’s agriculture sector.
Speaking at a forum on agricultural mechanisation for youth in Abankro, Ejisu Municipality, Rev. Nyanteng said mechanisation must be at the centre of efforts to make agriculture a game-changer for young entrepreneurs.
“Mechanisation is a game-changer for young agripreneurs,” he stressed. “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 machines, it is about creating jobs, opportunities, and a brighter future for our young people.”
The forum was organised by Agrinvest in partnership with the Kumasi Institute for Tropical Agriculture (KITA) under the Strengthened Access to Mechanization for Agribusinesses for Youth Employment Opportunities (SAMA) project.
The initiative, funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Master Foundation, falls under the broader Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), mechanisation service providers, tractor operators, crop processors, and grain drying service providers.
It served as a platform to build partnerships and introduce innovative tools and technologies to improve efficiency in serving young farmers.
To cement these collaborations, about 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with service providers, which will extend mechanisation services to over 5,600 young agripreneurs across seven districts in the Ashanti Region.
In addition, Agrinvest entered into two strategic partnerships. One with Crop Doctor will enable service providers and youth groups to access tools and equipment at discounted prices, while another with Franco Processing and Farms Limited will provide internships for 100 young women in rice processing and grain handling.
Both agreements are expected to strengthen women’s participation in the agricultural value chain.
Mr. Gregory Osei Bonsu, Ashanti Regional Extension Officer of MoFA, welcomed the initiative, noting that limited access to mechanisation had long been one of the biggest challenges for farmers, aggregators, and processors.
“With improved access to mechanisation services under this SAMA project, the region will increase production and productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and create employment opportunities through value addition, especially for young women,” he said.
By breaking down barriers to mechanisation, Agrinvest and KITA aim to transform agriculture into a more attractive and rewarding venture for Ghana’s youth.
The initiative is not only expected to raise productivity but also create decent, sustainable jobs, particularly for young women in the value chain.
