- KIC urged for increased support for youth and women in agriculture
- KIC has been instrumental in revitalizing agriculture
- Annan also underscored the importance of the conference
The Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) has urged for increased support for youth and women in agriculture to bolster food security.
Established in 2016, KIC has been instrumental in revitalizing agriculture, transforming it into a driver of growth and job creation.
Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, KIC’s executive director, made this call at the second edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) conference.
He emphasized the need for intentional government policies to encourage the participation of Ghana’s youth in the agricultural sector.
The two-day conference focused on empowering youth start-ups and Agri-MSMEs. Over 4000 participants attended the event, which included an exhibition and youth career fair.
Thirty startups and agri-MSMEs, including KIC businesses, had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to potential investors.
Gyan-Kesse highlighted the conference’s aim to provide knowledge on navigating agricultural challenges and announced plans to develop a policy paper on attracting youth to agriculture and providing necessary support.
AGRA country director, Betty Annan, emphasized the importance of innovative financing for young farmers.
She stressed the need for access to affordable credit, blended finance models, and climate-focused investment funds to enable sustainable practices, climate-smart technologies, and increased productivity.
Annan also underscored the importance of enhanced market competitiveness through expanded market access, access to finance, and inclusive market systems.
She noted that these factors are crucial for driving overall productivity, employment, and agricultural growth.
Joe Mensah, chairman of the KIC and AIA Conference, urged the youth to take advantage of the program to build partnerships and collaborations.
He encouraged them to learn from the conference and stay updated on the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the agriculture sector.
