The African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, has secured 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu in the Kwahu Afram Plains from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to establish a large-scale vegetable production facility.
The land allocation forms part of an agreement between the Ministry and AAC aimed at translating investment in agricultural infrastructure and human capital into increased food production, job creation and commercial agribusiness development.
Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku announced the agreement when he welcomed 118 Ghanaian graduates sponsored by AAC to pursue postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University and RUDN University in Russia over the last two years.
The Konadu Irrigation Project is an agricultural infrastructure site located in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, featuring centre-pivot systems managed under the Afram Plains Export-Led Agricultural Enhancement and Irrigation Project.
The graduates, who have returned to Ghana after completing their studies, received advanced training in crop production, soil and plant health, sustainable agriculture, climate change, environmental protection and natural resource management.
Mr Opoku said the government had made the irrigated land available, while AAC had committed to providing the logistics required to establish the vegetable production facility.
“The Ministry has established an agreement with the AAC and under that agreement, 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu have been allocated to AAC to provide logistics to establish a vegetable production facility,” he said.
He added that AAC would also pay the irrigation water fees to ensure the sustainable use of the facility.
The Minister described the partnership as the type of collaboration needed between government and the private sector to unlock Ghana’s agricultural potential and advance the Feed Ghana Agenda.
“This partnership between the private sector and agricultural development is exactly the kind of collaboration Ghana needs to achieve sustainable growth,” Mr Opoku stated.
Dr Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, speaking on behalf of the board and management of the Jospong Group and AAC, said the return of the scholars marked an important milestone in the programme.
Of the 120 graduates, 88 studied agriculture-related disciplines while 30 specialised in ecology, giving the group expertise across agricultural production and environmental management.
“Our intention was not simply to award scholarships or support young people to obtain additional certificates. Our goal was to develop a new generation of professionals who will return home with the knowledge, discipline, exposure and confidence required to contribute to Ghana’s agriculture and environmental transformation,” she said.
She said the next challenge was to ensure that the knowledge acquired by the scholars was translated into practical economic activity.
“The test before us now is to ensure that their knowledge does not remain in certificates, research or academic presentations, but is translated into productive farms, strong agricultural enterprises, improved environmental practices, innovative technologies, employment opportunities and measurable national impact,” Dr Agyepong said.
According to her, access to the 750 acres of irrigated land provides an important pathway for achieving that objective.
She said the graduates needed access to productive land, irrigation and other essential infrastructure, finance, markets, research support, mentorship and institutional partnerships if they were to transition from education into productive agriculture.
Dr Agyepong called for a structured framework between AAC and the Ministry to deploy the expertise of the returning graduates in support of Ghana’s agricultural priorities, covering production, agricultural research and extension, mechanisation, climate-smart agriculture, environmental restoration, value addition and the development of new agribusiness enterprises.
“What is required at this stage is a deliberate bridge between education and resources and institutional support. They must be able to move beyond seeking employment and begin creating businesses, improving productivity and generating opportunities for others,” she said.
She explained that AAC was already developing a practical reintegration framework that would expose the graduates to commercial agriculture, agricultural research, mechanisation, environmental management, value-chain development and entrepreneurship.
Mr Opoku challenged AAC and the graduates to demonstrate tangible results from the investment in land, irrigation infrastructure and education.
“We are making available the land with irrigation infrastructure. AAC has pledged to make available all the logistics that is required. And so you must show us the difference. You have the responsibility to demonstrate the difference,” he said.
He said the partnership would cover the cultivation, production, processing, storage, value addition, marketing and commercialisation of strategic agricultural commodities. The initiative, he added, would help enhance food security, create employment, promote import substitution and increase exports.
The Minister also told the graduates that the government expected them to become catalysts for transformation in the agricultural sector.
“Ghana has invested in you through the opportunities created by your sponsors. And today, your country looks to you to become catalysts for transformation,” he said.
He urged them to embrace technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing challenges facing farmers and agribusinesses.
“The future of agriculture belongs to those who are innovative, technologically driven and committed to excellence.”
Mr Opoku commended the Jospong Group and AAC for investing in human capital and agribusiness infrastructure, describing it as a bold and commendable initiative. He encouraged other private-sector institutions, agribusinesses, development partners and industry players to emulate the effort.
“Investing in young people is one of the greatest investments any nation can make,” the Minister said.
The Ministry is expected to visit the Konadu site to monitor progress and assess the expected increase in vegetable production.
