The Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) hosted the 2024 KIC AgriTech Challenge Classic Zonal Pitch at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. The middle zonal challenge, held at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources from 30th to 31st October 2024, aimed to promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in agriculture to students and young graduates.
The zonal pitch brought together 93 teams from various institutions, including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Kwadaso Agricultural College (KAC), and Ejura Agricultural College and Mechanisation Centre (EACMC).

According to the Programme Manager of KIC, Ms. Terrence Tienaah, the AgricTech Challenge aims to identify and nurture young ideas from graduates and tertiary institutions within the agricultural value chain. "The challenge also builds capacity among young people and helps them view agriculture as a profession," she stated. Ms. Tienaah noted that the programme explores opportunities for sustainable business growth, providing solutions to challenges within the agricultural value chain from input to post-harvest management and production, as well as processing.
The Programme Manager stressed how this year's challenge promises to be more competitive than previous years, with 16 tertiary institutions participating, compared to 10 in previous years. "We are seeing young people come up with innovative ideas, including processing, technology platforms, and equipment to increase production.” She noted that working with young people has brought about several innovation and technology, enabling farmers to develop resilient ways of coping with climate change, which she described as the "New Normal.”

Professor James Osei Mensah, Extension and Faculty Advisor to the teams, expressed hope for the outcomes of the AgriTech Challenge, having expectations to see viable business ideas that would address agricultural challenges. “The idea of the AgriTech Challenge is to identify young people with promising solutions to agricultural problems. By solving these issues in agriculture, they create businesses, employ themselves and others,” he said.
During the pitching session, several teams presented innovative ideas to address challenges in agriculture. ‘Sun Fresh Cool Vault’ showcased a smart cold storage solution for smallholder vegetable farmers, aimed at enhancing food preservation and reducing spoilage, another team introduced eco-friendly skincare products made from cocoa husks, which helps reduce waste and promote sustainability; another group proposed processing catfish into a range of ready-to-eat products to help mitigate farmers' losses; among many other creative solutions also shared by participating teams. From these presentations, 20 exceptional teams will be selected to represent the Middle Zone in the national competition on November 27, 28, and 29, 2024.