Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), a nonprofit organization is in partnership with Blue Skies Foundation to expand their ongoing Blue Skies School Farm Competition.
This was revealed by the Program Manager for KIC, Nii Tackie – Otoo and the PRO for Blue Skies foundation, Alistair Djimatey during a phone interview with Sompahemaa Ama Adiepena on Radio 1Ghana 100.7FM.
Why the Partnership
Mr Alistair Djimatey revealed that the foundation has organized five previous competitions and this year is its 6th time. According to him, ‘school farm program’, an initiative in the olden days has died out and the youth of today are not showing interests in farming so that informed the decision to organise Blue Skies school farm of the year competition.
“The competition started with 32 schools and it is cost demanding. As the project progressed there was a need to expand it so we looked for support and luckily, Kosmos Innovation Center through MasterCard Foundation has come onboard.” – Alistair Djimatey revealed.
Mr Nii Tackie – Otoo added that KIC noticed Blue Skies foundation is doing very much for the future of Ghana’s Agriculture with their School farm competition which is in line with their objectives for which reason, the partnership.
Duration of Partnership
The two have agreed to be on a 4 year partnership to raise citizens who would embrace and see farming as business and not punishment.
Targeted Regions and Schools
Initially, 70 schools were selected but after most schools had shown massive interests in the project, there is a decision to increase to over 120 schools and in 7 regions. Currently 126 Junior High and Senior High Schools are in the competition. The regions are; Eastern region, Bono East region, Part of Oti region, Volta region, Central region, Ashanti region and Greater Accra.
Expectations
It is expected to reach all 16 regions in the country in during the four year partnership. The partnership seeks to take the competition to at least half of all schools in the country and also provide support to about 35 thousand students in the country who show interest in Agriculture and for over 5,000 students who would further their education in the field of Agriculture.
How To Achieve The Expectations
With the partnership, the foundation can provide adequate and required resources to the participating schools. The foundation will equip the students with all the necessary knowledge and technical know-how so as to eradicate the misconceptions surrounding Agriculture. The Foundation will award best schools in various categories and that would motivate the schools to put in their best.
Like Oliver twist, Alistair Djimatey called out for other partners to make the School farm competition a national character.
KIC is committed to increasing awareness of agricultural opportunities and the associated entrepreneurial benefits for the youth.