KIC School Farm Award ignites nationwide practical agriculture drive across 700 schools

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi                            

The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) has celebrated a major milestone in its flagship School Farm Programme, with participation rising to more than 700 schools across all 16 regions, reflecting growing national interest in practical agriculture and youth agripreneurship.

Speaking at the 2025 KIC School Farm Awards Ceremony at the KNUST Great Hall, Executive Secretary – KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, said the initiative is rapidly transforming how young people perceive agriculture by making it real, relatable and rewarding.

He noted that the programme, which started as a bold idea to make farming exciting for students, has evolved into a nationwide model for experiential learning by equipping young people with hands-on agricultural skills as well as entrepreneurial competencies such as record-keeping, marketing and basic business planning.

“Across Ghana, we are seeing students who are learning by doing, thinking differently and discovering pride in agriculture.  KIC supports all participating schools with inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and tools; and provides technical guidance through consultants and teachers,” he said.

Mr. Gyan-Kesse described the strong uptake from over 450 schools last year to more than 700 this year as evidence of a significant mindset shift among young Ghanaians.

“With over 700 schools participating, we are witnessing a wave of young people gaining confidence, problem-solving skills and leadership abilities through agriculture,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the programme’s partners, the Mastercard Foundation and the Blue Skies Foundation, and called on additional private-sector players, development agencies and district assemblies to join efforts to expand the initiative, especially in areas such as irrigation and agri-technology support for schools.

Board Chair of KIC, Nana Joe Mensah, praised the programme as one of the most transformative youth initiatives in the country today, rooted in strong collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector.

He added that each school farm represents a model of practical education where science, teamwork and innovation converge.

Mr. Mensah, therefore, expressed the Board’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and scaling the programme to ensure every school in the country can use agriculture as a tool for experiential learning.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director, GES, Dr. Munawaru Issahaque, speaking on behalf of the Director-General, Ghana Education Service, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, stressed that agricultural education is a strategic priority for the GES, as it addresses youth unemployment, supports rural transformation and enhances national food systems.

As such, GES plans to deepen partnerships with the KIC, the Mastercard Foundation and the Blue Skies Foundation to expand the programme’s reach to more districts and schools.

“GES plans to integrate more farm-based learning into the national curriculum, strengthen school farm infrastructure – particularly water systems – and expand agribusiness-oriented extracurricular activities,” he said.

Mr. Issahaque also acknowledged the crucial role of teachers and school coordinators, describing them as the quiet architects of change. Their innovation and dedication, he said, are empowering students and strengthening entire communities.

Addressing the students, he said their creativity, perseverance and determination make them the heartbeat of the programme and future innovators capable of shaping the country’s agricultural landscape.

Winners

Winners for the 2025 KIC School Farm Awards were given desktop computers, certificate of participation, plaques, trophies and medals.

The overall best Senior High school Award went to St. John’s Grammar located in Accra. Students from Holy Cross Seminary in Oti Region won the first runner-up position. The second and third runner-up positions were won by Nyinahin Catholic SHS and St. Josephs Senior High Technical School respectively.

For the basic school category, Gbulahagu D/A JHS in the Northern Region emerged the overall winners. Okanta D/A Basic School came in as first runner-up, with Asawinso A Methodist B and Anyinam D/A Girls’ Model School coming in as second and third runners-up respectively.

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