AgriTech Challenge Program is transforming youth’s interest in production for economic empowerment:

Osman Kadiri joined the AgriTech Challenge Classic in 2023 at Ho Technical University. His team EcoStars made it to the 2023 KIC Classic Final Pitch (National). Although they did not progress to the Pro stage, he took inspiration from the capacity building and training to start a 20-acre maize farm located at Viavi in the Ho Municipal Assembly. Osman Kadiri. Through his farm activities, he provides occasional employment to youth for harvesting.

In a similar way, his fellow AgriTechie Vickson Elorm Bright, a co-founder of Husk Pack Ghana, whose idea was to turn rice husks into eco-friendly food packaging material, was empowered through the training received from the AgriTech Challenge Classic in 2023. He organised a regional wide Agri Forum to bring youth and stakeholders together to share opportunities within the agricultural sector. Elorm also has a 10-acre cassava farm that he started after being part of the competition. He also started poultry farming with about 500 birds.

The capacity building and training in entrepreneurship has helped to provide economic opportunities for these young people.

The KIC AgriTech Challenge program is creating an impact in the lives of more than 7600 young people who have taken part in the competition, as of December 2024. By partnering with the Mastercard Foundation, KIC is helping to create employment opportunities for many young people within the agricultural sector.