Participants in the Training of Trainers programme under the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, have pitched agribusiness ideas aimed at tackling agricultural challenges.

The last day of the intensive training, part of the project’s Entrepreneurship pillar, ended with a pitch day where tutors presented solutions to issues including soil fertility and nutrition.

Dr. Ishak Shaibu, an agribusiness educator, said the workshop changed his approach.
“We learnt practical skills from hybrid business plan writing to financial management and marketing, which I can now use to inspire students to create jobs or innovate within any workspace,” he said.

Mary Badu said the training would influence her teaching.

“I have been introduced to several activity-based methodologies. Through curriculum review and step-down training, I will ensure my students gain exposure to pitching and funding opportunities,” she said.

Facilitator Richard Agyare Ntim said the programme’s learner-centred approach kept participants engaged.
“We asked about their fears and hopes at the start and revisited these almost every day. Their contributions and pitches showed they grasped the lessons and valued the active learning approach,” he said.

Professor Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, lead for the Entrepreneurship pillar, described the session as a “test run”.
“Some participants are under 35, so they can pitch for support through the project. Others can pass ideas to students to develop into larger ventures,” he said.

Professor Robert Aidoo, a member of the project team, said the pitches reflected teamwork and relevance.
“The ideas addressed real challenges in agriculture, and the teamwork reflected the unity Nkabom seeks to instil,” he said.