Agrinvest Limited, through the AGRA and Mastercard Foundation–funded project Strengthened Access to Mechanization for Agribusinesses for Youth Employment Opportunities (SAMA), is taking bold steps to expand mechanization services for young agripreneurs in Ghana.
The initiative is part of the broader Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program.
On Saturday, September 20, at Ejisu Abankro, Agrinvest and KITA convened a stakeholder forum that brought together the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Crop Doctor, and 15 young mechanization service providers, including tractor owners and operators, rice, cassava, and vegetable processors, as well as grain drying service providers.
Dr. Addison, Head of Agriculture at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Mampong Campus, also attended to lend institutional support.
The event served as a platform to build strategic partnerships and introduce service providers to innovative tools and technologies that can improve efficiency and service delivery to young farmers and agripreneurs.
A central highlight of the day was the signing of 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with service providers. Through these agreements, mechanization services will be extended to 5,679 young agripreneurs across the first seven districts engaged in the Ashanti Region.
Agrinvest also entered into two strategic partnerships to broaden the impact of the initiative. An MoU signed with Crop Doctor will make tools and equipment available to service providers and youth groups at discounted prices under the SAMA project.
Additionally, an agreement with Franco [Full Name] will open up internship opportunities for 100 young women in rice processing and grain handling, strengthening the participation of women in the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the event, Rev. Kofi K. Nyanteng, Project Coordinator of Agrinvest, emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships to unlock opportunities for youth in agriculture.
“Mechanization is a game-changer for young agripreneurs. By working with service providers, technology companies, and institutions, we are creating an ecosystem where youth can access affordable services, improve productivity, and build sustainable agribusinesses.
This is not just about machines it is about creating jobs, opportunities, and a brighter future for our young people,” he said.
The Ashanti regional extension officer of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Mr. Gregory Osei Bonsu shared the Ministry’s enthusiasm about the opportunities being created. Mr. Osei Bonsu said: “One of the biggest challenges for farmers, aggregators, and processors has been access to mechanization.
With improved access mechanization services under this SAMA project, the region will increase the production and productivity of farmers, reduce post-harvest losses, and also create employment opportunities through value addition for our youth, especially young women.”
By expanding access to mechanization, Agrinvest and KITA are breaking down one of the greatest barriers to agricultural growth for young people.
This initiative is not only expected to increase productivity, but also create decent and fulfilling jobs for youth, especially young women.
