Agricultural students from 18 colleges, farming institutes, and universities throughout Ghana have put forth a series of innovative recommendations to enhance the Government’s Feed Ghana Programme and the Farmer Service Centre (FSC) Initiative.
These recommendations were presented during the Ninth Agrihouse Foundation Agricultural Students Bootcamp held in Accra.
Formulated after comprehensive research and presented to officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the proposals aim to improve the sustainability, accessibility, and impact of the Government’s key agricultural initiatives.
Among the primary proposals is the establishment of cooperative harvest registration systems designed to encourage farmers to operate through cooperatives and farmer groups.
The students suggested that such a system would enable farmers to access necessary inputs and services, with the repayment of support through produce after the harvest.
They also advocated for stronger cooperative structures for women farmers, greater farmer ownership of FSCs, and increased private sector involvement, with the government maintaining a regulatory role to protect farmers’ interests and ensure operational efficiency.
To enhance service delivery, the students recommended the adoption of digital technologies, including mobile applications, call centers, and USSD platforms, to connect farmers with extension services, agricultural experts, and mechanization services such as tractors, combine harvesters, drones, and sensors.
They emphasized that these technologies would be especially beneficial for farmers in remote communities and those lacking internet access.
Another significant recommendation was the introduction of an “FSC Plus” model, which would transform Farmer Service Centres into year-round agribusiness hubs.
This proposed model would offer integrated services, including input supply, mechanization, storage, processing, market access, financial services, and extension support.
It would also feature loyalty and membership programs, aggregation and marketing services, youth-led delivery systems, and dedicated financing mechanisms to enhance sustainability and reduce reliance on public funding.
Ms. Alberta Akyaa Akosa, Team Lead of Agrihouse Foundation, stated that the bootcamp’s focus on policy engagement was inspired by the observation that many young people were unfamiliar with Government agricultural programs despite the availability of public information.
She explained that the initiative aimed to help young people better understand these interventions, contribute ideas for improvement, and take ownership of national agricultural policies to ensure continuity beyond political transitions.
Ms. Akosa revealed that Agrihouse Foundation would compile a report on the students’ proposals and submit it to the relevant authorities while monitoring progress on implementation.
Mr. Bright Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, described the bootcamp as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between policymakers and young people in addressing challenges within the agricultural sector.
He noted that the initiative aligned with the Government’s agricultural transformation agenda by promoting food production, market access, value addition, and employment opportunities for youth and women.
Mr. Peter Nuhu, Coordinator of the FSC Initiative, praised the engagement with agricultural students, emphasizing that attracting and retaining young people in agriculture is crucial to addressing Ghana’s ageing farming population.
He highlighted that students represent the next generation of agricultural professionals, researchers, and extension officers, whose ideas and participation are essential to the long-term success of the Feed Ghana Programme and the Farmer Service Centre Initiative.
Credit: Access Agric
