Agricultural students from universities, colleges and farming institutes across Ghana have put forward a series of innovative proposals aimed at strengthening the Government’s Feed Ghana Programme and the Farmer Service Centre (FSC) Initiative.
The recommendations, developed through research and policy discussions during the Ninth Agrihouse Foundation Agricultural Students Bootcamp in Accra, seek to modernise agricultural service delivery, improve farmer access to resources and enhance the long-term sustainability of government interventions.
Among the key proposals was the use of digital technology to bridge gaps between farmers and agricultural support services. The students recommended the introduction of mobile applications, call centres and USSD platforms to connect farmers with extension officers, agricultural experts and mechanisation services.
According to the students, such technologies would make agricultural services more accessible, particularly for farmers in rural communities with limited internet connectivity.
The participants also proposed the creation of an “FSC Plus” model that would transform Farmer Service Centres into comprehensive agribusiness hubs operating throughout the year.
Under the proposed model, the centres would provide a wide range of services, including input supply, mechanisation support, storage, processing facilities, market access, financial services and extension support. Additional features would include loyalty programmes, aggregation and marketing services, youth-led delivery systems and dedicated financing mechanisms to improve operational sustainability.
To strengthen farmer participation, the students further advocated cooperative-based harvest registration systems that would allow farmers to access inputs and services through organised groups while repaying support with produce after harvest.
They also called for stronger support systems for women farmers, increased farmer ownership of service centres and greater private sector involvement, while urging government to maintain effective oversight and regulation.
Speaking at the event, Ms Alberta Akyaa Akosa, Team Lead of Agrihouse Foundation, said the bootcamp was designed to encourage young people to engage more actively in national agricultural policy discussions and contribute practical solutions to sector challenges.
She observed that many young people remained unfamiliar with government agricultural programmes despite information being publicly available, stressing the need to build awareness and ownership among the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Ms Akosa revealed that a comprehensive report containing the students’ recommendations would be submitted to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders for consideration.
Officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture welcomed the engagement, describing it as a valuable opportunity to harness fresh ideas from young people who will play a critical role in the future of the sector.
Mr Bright Demordzi, National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, said the initiative complemented government efforts to increase food production, promote value addition and create employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
Similarly, Mr Peter Nuhu, Coordinator of the Farmer Service Centre Initiative, stressed the importance of attracting more youth into agriculture, noting that the sector’s long-term sustainability would depend on the active participation of the next generation of farmers, researchers and agricultural experts.
The recommendations are expected to contribute to ongoing discussions on improving agricultural productivity, expanding access to services and accelerating Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda.
