KIC has commenced the 2024 AgriTech Challenge Classic program with orientation programs to onboard the students joining the program this year across all 16 country regions from June to July 2024.

The AgriTech Challenge Classic is a 7-month annual training program aimed at developing the interest and building the mindset of students and young graduates to drive systemic change in Ghana’s agriculture sector ultimately.

It provides the youth with the right exposure to the agriculture value chain, and networking opportunities to build and grow viable solutions to Ghana’s key agricultural challenges.

The KIC AgriTech Challenge Classic 2024 is set to be a transformative experience for all involved, fostering a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources to succeed. Through the AgriTech Challenge, more than 3.500 young people have been trained.

Working in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, KIC is committed to supporting young people with entrepreneurial capacity building to gain access to employment and work-readiness skills.

The 16 participating universities and colleges include University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ho Technical University (HTU), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), University of Development Studies (UDS), SD Dombo University of Business & Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), and University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences; Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Damongo Agricultural College; Kwadaso Agricultural College; Ejura Agric College and Mechanization Center and Ohawu Agricultural College.

Speaking about the impact of KIC’s approach to youth employment and skills development, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director for KIC said: “Through the AgriTech Challenge program, KIC has trained many young people to unearth their entrepreneurial ideas. We are committed to providing capacity building to empower young people to develop innovations that transform the agricultural sector.”

The AgriTech program involves coaching, market research tours, and pieces of training by industry experts. Speaking about the expectations from participants to this year’s program, Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Entrepreneurship Development Specialist for KIC said: “Through this year’s challenge, we are looking forward to investing in the growth and development of young entrepreneurs to promote sustainable agricultural development.”

Across the country, more than 3200 young people are expected to participate in the competition.