MoFA, AAC launch 750-Hectare vegetable production hub in Eastern Region

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has joined forces with the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) to develop a 750-hectare irrigated vegetable farming project in the Eastern Region as part of efforts to boost local food production and create employment opportunities.

The initiative is expected to advance the government’s Feed Ghana Agenda, improve food security and provide modern commercial farming opportunities for 118 Ghanaian graduates trained in agricultural sciences.

The partnership was announced by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, during a ceremony in Accra to officially welcome the graduates, who recently completed postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University).

The graduates, whose studies were sponsored by the Jospong Group of Companies and the African Agribusiness Consortium, include 88 agronomy specialists and 30 graduates in ecology.

Mr Opoku disclosed that the Ministry has earmarked 750 hectares of irrigated land at Konadu in the Afram Plains for the farming project. Under the arrangement, the African Agribusiness Consortium will provide the necessary logistics and cover irrigation water costs to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

According to the Minister, the project aligns with the government’s broader strategy of making agriculture a key driver of economic transformation by increasing food production, promoting agribusiness, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imported food.

He added that MoFA would collaborate with the Consortium and other stakeholders to integrate the graduates into Ghana’s agricultural sector by facilitating access to farmland, irrigation infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

“Our goal is to ensure that the knowledge and skills you have acquired are translated into higher agricultural productivity, stronger food security, employment opportunities and economic growth,” Mr Opoku said.

He further encouraged the graduates to put their expertise into practice by helping solve the country’s agricultural challenges and contributing to the sector’s long-term development.

Chief Executive Officer of the African Agribusiness Consortium, Dr Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, said the organisation’s commitment goes beyond financing scholarships, stressing that it aims to nurture a new generation of agricultural professionals capable of transforming Ghana’s food production systems.

She explained that the graduates would be encouraged to become entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators rather than relying solely on traditional employment opportunities.

“We want them to establish businesses, support farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains and develop practical solutions to challenges facing Ghana’s agriculture and environmental sectors,” she said.

Founder and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, said sponsoring the graduates formed part of the company’s commitment to building the human capital needed for sustainable national development.

He urged the graduates to remain in Ghana and use the knowledge they had gained abroad to modernise the country’s agricultural sector.

“Your expertise and innovative ideas should lead a new era of agricultural transformation. Stay in Ghana, work diligently and help reshape the future of farming,” he advised.

The graduates received advanced training in areas including crop production, soil and plant health, sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, environmental conservation and natural resource management.

Prince Antwi

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