By Dorothy Frances Ward
Kumasi, Oct. 01. GNA – The World Food Programme (WFP), with support from the government of the Republic of Korea, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has handed over agritech equipment and tools to five colleges of agriculture in the country.
The equipment worth more than half a million dollars, aim at strengthening digital agricultural training, and support agricultural colleges in digital technologies, equip them with skills to apply mechanization and technology to ensure efficiency and resilience in agricultural value chain.
The items included mini drones, GPS for digital mapping, remote weather stations, weather and climate information sensors , grain moisture meters, lap tops, soil testers, green house environmental control learning kits among others.
Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, speaking at the ceremony in Kumasi, said the government and other key stake holders were committed to strengthening capacity of institutions, skills of graduates to ensure sustainable food systems in the country.
The government is investing in knowledge, skills, innovation in the youth to shape the future of agriculture production in the country.
This, he said the youth would attract and bring professional development to agriculture production, adding that, the government and partners were building an agricultural education system that was practical, modern and responsive to the needs of the people.
Madam Aurore Rusiga, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, said Ghana had made strong progress in agriculture but still had significant challenges.
She said there was therefore, the need to build food systems that would help fight persistent food insecurities in the country.
Challenges such as post harvest losses, malnutrition, declining soil health and production inefficiencies, among others must be addressed.
Madam Rusiga, said the equipment and tools provided the colleges would strengthen the capacity of lecturers and instructors to deliver effectively.
she said the initiative would provide practical exposure to the students, provide them with precision agriculture, weather and climate information.
She pledged WFP‘s commitment to partner stakeholders to ensure that the initiative was sustained and extended to other youth to help ensure better outcomes in farming communities, to strengthen Ghanas food systems.
Mr Dong Wan Woo, KOICA Country Director, said the initiative was as part of KOICA – WFP partnership on youth economic empowerment through digitalization for resilience in food and nutrition security for improved livelihoods.
He said it was important to provide the young agriculturist students with digital tools for them to have their skills sharpened, boost their confidence and grow Ghana“s agriculture sector.
They must contribute to the sustainability of the country‘s agricultural sector.
He encouraged the students to integrate tools into practical training and maintain them properly
Mr. Kyoreh Yoo, WFP KOICA Project Coordinater, said agriculture remained the back bone of Ghanas economy and primary source of livelihood for most of the people.
Therefore, digital technology in agriculture was crucial to help improve education in agriculture and food sustainability.
He said WFP was committed to supporting resilient food systems and food inclusive to help improve livelihoods.
He said the initiative would strengthen the capacity of agricultural colleges, to deliver well in digital technology and produce experts to champion appropriate technologies among farmers in the country.
Mr. Albert Appiah Amoako, Primcipal of Kwadaso Agricultural College, said the equipment and tools would strengthen hands on training and prepare students for issues like climate change and others.
The equipment and tools would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical applications, while strengthening the colleges of agriculture with skills and expertise to sustain the country’s agricultural sector.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade