KIC 2025 School Farm Competition begins with nationwide training for School Coordinators

Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has successfully rolled out a nationwide training Program for School Coordinators who will serve as trainers for the 2025 School Farm Competition. The training was designed to equip coordinators with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to support the participating schools throughout the competition.

This year’s program saw an overwhelming response, with over 1,000 applications from basic and secondary schools across the country. After a rigorous selection process, 700 schools have been chosen to participate in the 2025 KIC School Farm Awards, where students in Junior and Senior High will cultivate selected vegetables on their school farms.

During the Trainer of Trainees workshop, the selected school coordinators were trained in good agronomic practices and provided with essential knowledge about the program. The workshop focused on practical farming techniques, pest and disease management, soil health, irrigation, and crop rotation. It also included detailed guidance on how to mentor the students in the competition.

Inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other farming materials will be provided to the selected schools, tailored specifically to the type of vegetables they chose to grow during the competition period.

“This training is not just about teaching young people how to farm, it’s about instilling a sense of responsibility, discipline, and entrepreneurship in them. By empowering the coordinators with the knowledge of good agronomic practices, we are promoting knowledge transfer to the students. This will also change their perception about agriculture and opportunities within the agricultural sector for employment and job opportunities for their career prospects.” said Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC.

Terrence Tienaah, the Programs Manager at KIC, emphasized the broader impact of the program: “Our aim is to engage students through hands-on learning, where they can apply their knowledge of agriculture to real-world challenges. The training for the school coordinators ensures that the competition remains impactful, educational, and aligned with the best global practices in horticulture.”

The competition will challenge students to demonstrate their practical knowledge of sustainable farming practices, improve their agricultural skills, and promote STEM education through experiential learning.

Schools will be judged based on various criteria, including the quality of the vegetables, the effectiveness of the farming practices, and the overall contribution of the program in promoting agriculture among young people.

KIC’s long-term goal is to cultivate a new generation of agripreneurs who understand the importance of agriculture in sustaining livelihoods and contributing to national development. The School Farm Awards Program is an integral part of KIC’s strategy to promote practical agricultural education and enhance the entrepreneurial potential of students across Ghana.

By working with the school coordinators and supporting the participants with key resources, KIC is ensuring that the next generation is equipped not only to grow crops but also to grow the agricultural sector.

The School farm Awards was originated by Blueskies Foundation and is currently fully implemented and governed by Kosmos Innovation center.