Ghana Senior High School team wins 2026 Youth Agri-Innovation challenge with solar dryer

Team Gamma, a team from Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS), Koforidua, has emerged winner of the 2026 Youth Agri-Innovation Challenge (YAIC) with an innovative solar dryer designed to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses.

The team clinched the top spot at the grand finale of the competition held during the 2026 AgriFair, organised by the Youth Alliance for Agriculture Transformation (YAFAT).

The competition brought together young innovators who pitched agricultural solutions aimed at addressing practical challenges confronting farmers and the wider agricultural sector.

Research-Inspired Solution
The team leaders John Smith Dogbey, Boye Adjetey Anang and Akwetey Elikem Albert, explaining the features and potential impact of the project during an interview said the Solar Dryer was conceived after research into the challenges faced by farmers in Africa, particularly in the drying and preservation of cereals and grains. Their findings pointed to the need for a more efficient and hygienic method of drying farm produce.

According to the team, many local farmers continue to rely on open-air drying, a traditional practice that exposes harvested cereals and other food products to pests and unfavourable weather conditions. The exposure, they noted, can result in damage to produce and contribute to post-harvest losses and reduced productivity. Team Gamma therefore set out to develop an alternative that would protect agricultural produce while making the drying process less laborious for farmers.

Solar-Powered Technology
The solution developed by the students is a Solar Dryer, a device capable of drying food substances and serving as a dehydrator for vegetables and other crop produce. The team explained that the system does not rely on external energy sources such as fossil fuels. Instead, it primarily uses solar energy, making it a renewable solution that could provide an alternative for farmers seeking a more sustainable way of preserving their harvest.

Potential for Rural Farmers

Team Gamma’s Solar-powered Dryer

The innovation is targeted at communities where access to electricity remains a challenge. Team Gamma said the Solar Dryer can be deployed in villages and other local areas without reliable electricity supply, while electronic components incorporated into the system help automate the drying process. This, the team explained, could give farmers greater flexibility, as they would not have to remain at the drying station throughout the process to monitor their produce.

YAFAT Promotes Youth-Led Agricultural Transformation

The victory comes as YAFAT continues to promote youth participation and innovation in agriculture. YAFAT is a specialised agency under United Youth Support, with a focus on advancing youth engagement, innovation and transformation in the agricultural sector. The YAIC provides a platform for young people to develop and showcase innovative ideas capable of responding to real challenges within agriculture and creating opportunities for a more sustainable and productive sector.

Judges inspecting the works of the various teams

Innovation Meets Agriculture
Team Gamma's success at the 2026 YAIC highlights the growing potential of youth-led innovation in tackling agricultural challenges in Ghana. By combining solar energy with automation, the Solar Dryer seeks to provide farmers with a cleaner, more convenient and potentially more reliable method of drying and preserving agricultural produce. The team believes the innovation can help protect cereals, grains, vegetables and other crops from pests and weather-related damage while easing the workload associated with traditional drying practices.

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