The government has been called upon to create a favorable policy environment to support youth engagement in agriculture, a crucial step toward ensuring food security in Ghana.
The Youth in Agriculture Programme aims to encourage young people to view farming as a viable commercial venture. However, financial difficulties are discouraging many youths from fully participating in the sector, as observed by Mr. Abraham Safo, a Value Chain and Enterprise Development Specialist at Agri-Impact Limited. He made these remarks during the “Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for the Youth” (HAPPY) event, organized by the Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited and the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) in Accra.
The event, titled “Young Agripreneurs Conference,” was focused on empowering young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, targeting individuals aged 15 to 35. Mr. Safo acknowledged the government’s ongoing efforts to create economic opportunities for the youth, but emphasized the need for more robust support in agriculture. He highlighted key areas such as land development, irrigation, and access to credit, as essential components to drive agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
He urged young people to see agriculture as a business opportunity with the potential to offer sustainable livelihoods. “The future belongs to the youth, but to those who are prepared,” Mr. Safo said, stressing the need for deliberate investment in the youth to help them face the future with confidence. He also noted that post-school support in areas like infrastructure, business operations, and working capital is critical to helping young agripreneurs achieve their career goals and contribute to national development.
Furthermore, Mr. Safo called for policies that protect young entrepreneurs and foster their competitiveness in the market. He highlighted that the HAPPY programme identifies opportunities for youth within four key agricultural value chains.
GRASAG National President, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, also encouraged students across the country to embrace the initiative, noting that agriculture is becoming the “new oil,” with vast opportunities waiting to be tapped.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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