MTN and Partners Launch Vegetable Hub for Youth Training

A new Vegetable Hub of Excellence, aimed at promoting technology-driven agriculture and equipping young people with practical skills, has been commissioned through a collaborative effort between MTN Ghana, the MTN Ghana Foundation, the University of Ghana’s School of Agriculture, and Defarmercist Group Limited.

Located on the University of Ghana’s on-campus farm, the facility will serve as a hands-on training ground for students and young individuals keen on modern vegetable crop production, agribusiness, and innovative farming technologies.

Prof. Eric Nartey, Dean of the School of Agriculture, in his welcome address, emphasized the crucial role of vegetables as essential food sources, highlighting that their production necessitates mechanised and efficient farming methods. He stated that the School is actively partnering with farmers and strategic allies to foster sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in vegetable cultivation. “The Hub offers a unique opportunity to train future agripreneurs while leveraging multidisciplinary expertise to enhance national food production,” he said.

Prof. Felix A. Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, underscored the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical application.

“Agriculture is at a critical juncture, and the co-creation approach adopted by the University and its partners is vital for advancing sustainable agricultural development,” Prof. Asante noted. He encouraged prospective trainees to fully utilize the Hub’s resources, stressing that technology-driven agriculture is the cornerstone of both the present and future of farming.

Representing the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Technical Advisor to the Minister and National Coordinator for the Feed Ghana Programme, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through technology-enabled agriculture. He explained that the Vegetable Hub of Excellence strongly aligns with the Government’s vision under the Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to stimulate innovation, improve livelihoods, and ensure a sustainable and local supply of safe, fresh, and competitively priced vegetables.

Mr. Etu-Bonde highlighted the Ministry’s support for partnerships that promote innovation and build a skilled agripreneurial workforce. He described the Hub as a practical demonstration of climate-smart farming, citing its features such as solar-powered groundwater extraction for fertigation, drip irrigation for efficient water use, mulching to suppress weeds, composting to recycle nutrients, and vegetable fortification to enhance nutritional value. “These interventions represent the future of horticulture in Ghana – efficient, climate-smart, and commercially viable,” he added.

He announced that the Centre will train 300 young people in specialized areas including fertigation, pest and disease diagnosis, ecological and protected farming systems, post-harvest management, and mechatronics. “This represents the kind of skills pipeline we need to build the next generation of agripreneurs,” he stated, commending the collaboration between the School of Agriculture, Defarmercist Group Limited, and the MTN Ghana Foundation for creating dignified employment and contributing to national development.

Mr. Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, revealed the company’s GH₵3 million investment in the Vegetable Hub of Excellence. The five-acre facility boasts three greenhouses (one dedicated as a nursery), training spaces, a 24kW solar power system, two boreholes, four water storage tanks, a fully installed drip irrigation network with digital valves and timers, and open-field beds equipped with mulching and flowering systems.

“This centre demonstrates that modern farming is a viable, lucrative, and high-tech career,” Mr. Blewett said. He encouraged the public to consider farming as a potential side business, emphasizing that with today’s tools and innovations, agriculture can be a rewarding and exciting venture. He further stated that MTN is committed to digital inclusion that extends to agriculture and women empowerment, supporting training across the entire food production value chain.

Mr. Samuel Koranteng, representing the MTN Ghana Foundation’s Board Chairman, highlighted the Foundation’s 18-year impact across various sectors. He noted that the Vegetable Hub stands out as its first major agricultural project, expected to significantly contribute to national development and food security. “The Hub has already trained over 180 second-year Agriculture students, unemployed youth, and participants from the Nkabom Youth Initiative, creating over 10 new jobs,” he revealed.

Mr. Koranteng reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young people with employable skills, describing the Hub as a model that can be replicated nationwide. He added that the Foundation remains dedicated to integrating digital tools into farming to boost productivity and food security, hoping to equip a new generation of agripreneurs with transformative skills.

A statement delivered on behalf of Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, by Prof. Kwabena Doku-Amponsah, Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, lauded MTN Ghana and its Foundation for prioritizing youth and women in agricultural transformation, describing it as a significant step towards sustainable livelihoods and long-term sectoral development.

Madam Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, and Dr. Naa Lamle Amissah, Senior Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with national priorities and MTN’s strategy to promote inclusivity and reduce unemployment through agripreneurship. They added that scale-up opportunities will be explored after assessing the initial phase of the project.

UG Alumnus, Mr. Charles Agyemang, Co-Founder and General Manager of Defarmercist Group Limited, provided a guided tour of the facility, highlighting the various training programs available and inviting students and young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the hands-on learning opportunities.

Kanortey Wahiermeh, a Level 400 student and intern at the Hub, shared a testimonial, highlighting the practical skills acquired through the program, including seed nursing, transplanting, and the use of modern farm implements and technologies. He expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana and the Foundation for their support.

The Vegetable Hub of Excellence is expected to play a vital role in Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda by combining technology, training, and innovation to develop a new generation of agripreneurs and improve vegetable production in the country.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE