Incentivise agric students to drive agricultural transformation – Prof. Ansah
By Linda Dede Nyanya Godji Incoom
The Government of Ghana’s recent launch of the “Feed Ghana” program is a step in the right direction towards modernizing agriculture, enhancing food security, and creating jobs. However, Prof. Terry Ansah, a Professor of Animal Nutrition and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, University for Development Studies (UDS), believes that strategic measures are needed to encourage more youth to enter the sector.
Agriculture is a vital sector in Ghana’s economy, but it faces a significant challenge: many young people are turning away from farming because the sector is often perceived as labor-intensive, low-status, and unprofitable. Many youth view agriculture as a last resort, preferring white-collar jobs or other industries that offer better pay and working conditions.
According to a recent survey, 70% of Ghana’s youth do not consider agriculture as a viable career option. This trend has serious implications for the country’s food security and economic development. To reverse this trend, Prof. Ansah believes that agricultural students need to be incentivised to pursue careers in the sector.
Prof. Ansah suggests that providing agricultural students with allowances, similar to those given to teacher and nursing trainees, would go a long way in strengthening the sector’s future. He also recommends exposing students to practical skills and linking them with private sector businesses.
“Feed Ghana will only succeed if we also ‘Fund Ghana’s Agri-Students,'” Prof. Ansah argued. “Provide them with allowances, expose them to practical skills, and link them with private sector businesses.” He emphasized that incentivizing agricultural education is not a luxury, but a necessity for food security.
The Feed Ghana Program, launched on April 12, 2025, aims to modernize agriculture, enhance food security, create jobs, and foster agro-industrial development. The program includes strategic plans to boost vegetable production, develop the poultry industry, and invest in livestock and tree crop value chains.
By incentivizing agricultural education and providing support to young farmers, Ghana can unlock the potential of its agricultural sector and create a brighter future for its agricultural industry.
