Accra, March 17, – Agriculture stakeholders have highlighted the role of modern technology in drawing young people into farming, noting that innovations can make the sector more appealing, productive, and profitable.
The views were shared at the Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026, which opened Tuesday at Black Star Square, Accra. Organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in partnership with the Ghana EXIM Bank, the three-day fair (March 17–19) is held under the theme: “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology.” It showcases locally developed agricultural machinery, agro-processing tools, and emerging technologies aimed at boosting productivity and value addition.
President John Dramani Mahama, Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and Ghana EXIM Bank CEO Sylvester A. Mensah officially opened the event.
Speaking at the fair, Faustina Okai, Principal of Bedeku Technical Institute, emphasised the impact of practical training and innovation in inspiring youth to pursue agriculture. She highlighted a locally built sorghum leaf milling machine developed by her students, which produces tea bags and cooking powder from farm-grown sorghum.
“With this machine, we can process sorghum leaves into tea or powder for dishes such as waakye. The response has been encouraging, but we need support to scale up production,” she said, appealing for government and private sector backing.
The initiative not only demonstrates value addition and agro-processing, but also promotes Made-in-Ghana products for domestic consumption and potential export.
Harry Bernard Wright, Managing Director of Hydroponics and Agri-Tech Group, also emphasised that technologies like hydroponics and aquaponics make farming less labour-intensive, productive in small spaces, and attractive to young people. He highlighted yields such as 40 kg of tomatoes in three months and 9 kg of spinach monthly from compact systems.
Mr Wright explained that the company is also converting agricultural waste like rice husk into biochar and organic fertiliser, improving soil health and reclaiming lands degraded by illegal mining.
He called for stronger collaboration between government and private sector to scale up innovations and provide hands-on training for university students from institutions such as the University of Ghana, KNUST, and University of Cape Coast.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained investment in technology, research, and skills development would make agriculture a viable, attractive career for Ghana’s youth and accelerate national agricultural transformation.
GHBUSS
17 March 2026
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