The Kosmos Innovation Center
(KIC), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry
of Education (MoE), has officially commenced the 2026 School Farm Competition
with a nationwide virtual Training of Trainers (ToT) session for teachers and
school coordinators.
The virtual training marks the
first phase of this year’s competition, bringing together educators from
participating schools across the country to effectively guide students
throughout the competition with good agronomic practices. Through the Training
of Trainers approach, teachers and coordinators will transfer practical
knowledge, innovative farming methodologies, and best practices to their
students, ensuring a consistent and impactful learning experience across
participating schools.
The School Farm Competition is a
flagship agricultural education initiative that promotes experiential learning
by encouraging students to establish and manage productive school farms while
developing entrepreneurial, leadership, and climate-smart agriculture skills.
By equipping teachers with the necessary technical knowledge and facilitation
skills, the programme lays a strong foundation for students to apply classroom
concepts to real-life agricultural production and agribusiness. This year, more
than 500 schools are participating in the competition. Crops include Tomato, Habanero,
Sweet Pepper, Cabbage and Onion among other horticultural crops.
During the virtual sessions,
participants received orientation on the competition guidelines, judging
criteria, agronomic best practices, record-keeping, sustainability principles, safeguarding
and effective mentorship techniques. The training also provided a platform for
teachers to exchange ideas, ask questions, and prepare for the successful
implementation of school farming activities within their respective schools.
Speaking at the opening session,
KIC reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through agriculture by
strengthening the role of educators as catalysts for innovation and practical
learning.
“The success of the School
Farm Competition begins with empowered teachers. By investing in their
capacity, we are ensuring that students receive the right guidance, inspiration
and practical skills needed to become the next generation of agripreneurs and
agricultural leaders.”
Implemented by the Kosmos
Innovation Center in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the
Ministry of Education, the School Farm Competition continues to inspire young
people to view agriculture as a viable, innovative and rewarding career pathway.
The programme provides students with opportunities to develop technical
agricultural skills, teamwork, problem-solving abilities and an entrepreneurial
mindset while contributing to food security within their schools and
communities.
The School Farm Competition was
originally established by the Blue Skies Foundation and has grown into one of
Ghana’s leading school-based agricultural development programmes. Since KIC
assumed implementation of the programme, it has continued to expand its reach
and impact, empowering thousands of students and teachers across the country
through practical agricultural education.
As participating schools begin
implementing this year’s activities, KIC looks forward to another exciting
season of innovation, learning and healthy competition, as students transform
school farms into thriving centres of agricultural excellence.
The school farm competition over
the years is also supported by agronomists from the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture, as well as Interplast Ghana Ltd, and Holland GreenTech with
technical support on irrigation for some identified schools.