Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
The Defarmercist Group, the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Agriculture, and the MTN Ghana Foundation visited the University of Ghana farms to evaluate ongoing projects at the Department of Crop Science’s Vegetable Centre of Excellence.
Construction on the MTN Ghana Foundation-sponsored project began in May 2025, with completion anticipated by the end of the year.
After it is finished, the Center of Excellence will teach more than 300 recipients sustainable agricultural practices, agribusiness, and contemporary farming methods. Practical knowledge of crop management, irrigation systems, and sustainable agricultural practices will be imparted to students. In addition to students, the program will provide possibilities for young people without jobs and smallholder farmers who want to expand their fields and businesses.
Leading the inspection, Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, praised the progress made within just five months. She said, “This Centre is not only about food production; it’s about shaping the future of agriculture in Ghana. We want to empower students and young people with the tools and expertise to build businesses in farming. Too many graduates leave school with theoretical knowledge but without practical experience. Here, they will gain hands-on training that turns knowledge into opportunity”.
“The University of Ghana’s students will be the first major beneficiaries, but this project goes beyond one institution. Our vision is to create a model that can be replicated across the country, supporting Ghana’s fight against youth unemployment and contributing to food security. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, and this Centre demonstrates how it can be modernized, mechanized and sustainable”, she added.
Samuel Agyemang, Co-Founder of Defarmercist Group, highlighted how the Centre will make agriculture more appealing to the youth. “We are introducing smart solutions like automated irrigation and greenhouse systems that make farming less labor-intensive. The students will see how technology transforms farming into a profitable and sustainable business. By the time they graduate, they will not be job seekers but job creators, ready to drive agribusiness innovation”, he emphasised.
The project is roughly 70% finished at this point. The Center has three (3) greenhouse structures, solar panels, a fully furnished training area, and offices, among other important facilities. Training modules will address issues like post-harvest handling, fertigation management, transplanting, seedling nursing, smart irrigation installation and scheduling, and pest and disease control.
Currently in a two-year pilot program, the project’s impact will be evaluated in order to determine whether it can be replicated and expanded nationally.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
