As part of efforts to groom young talents for the agricultural sector of Ghana, the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, have organized the 2024 AgriTech Classic pitch competition for Southern Zone.
The 2-day event witnessed 108 agricultural start-ups presenting their innovative concepts aimed at driving agricultural innovation to the ideation team.
The KIC AgriTech Challenge serves as an accelerator programme designed to assist budding entrepreneurs in launching and expanding commercially viable solutions in agriculture. The initiative also aims to leverage technology and innovation as drivers to enhance productivity and create more employment with the natin’s agricultural value chain.
Hailing from five different regions, the 3-member gender sensitive teams were carefully selected from a number of tertiary institutions including the University of Ghana, Koforidua Technical University and University of Cape Coast.
Of the total number of participants, 81 exceptional teams from the Southern and Northern zones will be selected for the next phase, AgriTech Challenge Pro. As part of the AgriTech Challenge Pro, participants would be taken through business coaching programmes aimed at enhancing their investor readiness.
Speaking at the event, Community Lead for KIC, Stanley Amamu indicated that the Agritech Challenge was meticulously crafted to empower the youth to instigate change in the agricultural sector. He said the event signified the fruition of extensive groundwork, unwavering commitment ad exceptional efforts of the participants. “For us at KIC, agriculture transcends being a mere industry. It stands as a pivotal sector that unites us all. It serves as the very essence of our communities, offering sustenance, livelihoods and a solid foundation for progress.”
Dr. Karen Arthur, Faculty Advisor, AgriTech Challenge Programme UCC applauded the teams’ resilience during moths of ideation, product training etc. She expresses optimism that the concepts encountered currently could serve as catalysts for change in agriculture. “Our dedication to fostering innovation on agriculture is not praiseworthy but also crucial for the future of our communities,” she said.