Agric Minister hands over modern Agri-Tech equipment to five agricultural colleges

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has handed over modern agricultural technology equipment to five agricultural colleges nationwide to enhance practical, technology-driven training.

The handing-over ceremony was held on Wednesday at Kwadaso Agricultural College in Kumasi, and the beneficiary institutions are Kwadaso, Ejura, Damongo, Wenchi, and Ohawu Agricultural Colleges.

The equipment handed over included 60 moisture meters, 60 soil testers, 60 greenhouse environmental control learning kits, 60 Internet of Things (IoT) sensor education kits, weather station starter kits, 60 Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, high-performance computers, business laptops and 15 mini drones. The package also included an agricultural spraying simulator, a drone flight simulator and agricultural data-processing software.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s efforts to modernise agricultural education and training, improve the practical skills of students and make agriculture more attractive to the youth.

It brought together representatives of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, WFP, KOICA, development partners, the Municipal Chief Executive for Kwadaso, Mr Eric Asibey, traditional leaders, Assembly Members, party executives, management and students of the beneficiary colleges, among other stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, said the equipment would provide the colleges with the tools needed to deliver hands-on and competency-based training tailored to the demands of modern agriculture.

He said mechanisation and the adoption of technology were central to the Government’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity, reduce drudgery, create decent employment opportunities for the youth and enhance food security.

Mr Opoku commended WFP and KOICA for their continued support to Ghana’s agricultural sector and urged the beneficiary institutions to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the equipment to maximise its benefits to students and the wider farming community.

Representatives of WFP and KOICA, in separate remarks, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ghana in building a resilient and sustainable food system through capacity building, innovation and increased youth participation in agriculture.

The Kwadaso Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Eric Asibey, commended the Ministry and its development partners for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to agricultural education and youth engagement in the sector.

He assured the Ministry and its partners of the Assembly’s continued support to the Kwadaso Agricultural College to enable it to maintain its position as a centre of excellence in agricultural training.

The beneficiary colleges expressed appreciation to the Ministry, WFP and KOICA for the intervention, saying the equipment would improve teaching and learning and help bridge the gap between theory and practical training.