The KNUST Nutrition and Sustainable Agrifood Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (Nkabom Collaborative), has commenced the second specialised training programme in Agrifood Value Chain Mapping and Analysis aimed at strengthening youth participation and value addition within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The training, which brought together 25 participants from across the country, forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition agriculture as a viable, integrated and sustainable economic pathway by exposing young people to opportunities beyond primary production.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Dr. Charlotte Adjanor-Doku, Programme Manager, explained that the initiative was structured to provide participants with practical competencies that will enable them to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the agrifood value-chain ecosystem.
She noted that the training was fundamentally designed to equip participants with the practical skills and knowledge needed to understand, map and analyse the agri-food space.
“This will enable participants to identify both opportunities and challenges within the agricultural sector and provide solution to them,” she noted.
According to her, participants will be guided to explore ways of leveraging these opportunities to develop innovative solutions that can contribute to reducing unemployment and underemployment in the agrifood sector.
Facilitator Professor Fred Nimoh emphasised that the concept of value chain analysis goes beyond traditional farming activities and requires a broader understanding of how various actors interact within the agrifood ecosystem.
He explained that value chain analysis focuses on the relationships among different stakeholders who work together to improve the agrifood ecosystem and address critical issues such as food insecurity.
“The discussion is not just about agriculture, it is about the entire agri-food ecosystem,” he said.
Professor Nimoh further noted that identifying gaps within value chains can create new business opportunities and contribute to employment generation.
“Once the gaps are identified, the aim is to transform them into opportunities that can lead to the creation of new businesses, jobs and solutions to problems within the agri-food system,” he stated.
Another facilitator, Dr. Ernest Amegawovor Akey, described the course as an intervention that introduces participants to the structure of agrifood systems and the analytical tools required to assess value chains effectively.
He highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance in agrifood entrepreneurship, noting that participants will gain insights into working with institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to ensure that food products meet required standards before reaching consumers.
Dr. Akey expressed confidence that the training would empower participants to venture into entrepreneurial activities within the agrifood sector.
“Participants will be well equipped to venture into entrepreneurial businesses within the agri-food system and contribute to addressing challenges within the sector,” he said.
By: Michael Kwawu
