KIC and Interplast equip Teachers with Drip Irrigation Skills through virtual training

The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in partnership with Interplast Ghana Ltd, has organised a virtual training for teachers participating in the KIC School Farm Competition, equipping them with practical knowledge on the use and management of the Ingreen irrigation kit for their school farms.

The training forms part of KIC’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of teachers to guide students in applying modern and sustainable agricultural practices. With more than 500 schools across Ghana participating in this year’s School Farm Competition, the initiative provides an important platform for introducing young people to practical agriculture, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Strengthening Teachers’ Irrigation Knowledge

The virtual session introduced teachers to irrigation farming and demonstrated how drip irrigation can support efficient water use and improved crop production.

Facilitators from KIC and Interplast covered key topics including Introduction to Irrigation Farming; Drip Irrigation and Ingreen Kit Overview; Understanding Ingreen Kit Components; Demonstration; Site Preparation; Operating a Drip Irrigation System; Maintenance; Fertigation; and Best Practices.

Through guided presentations and demonstrations, teachers were taken through the different components of the Ingreen kit and how the system can be installed and operated on their school farms. The session also addressed site preparation, routine maintenance and the use of fertigation to efficiently deliver nutrients to crops through irrigation.

The virtual format enabled teachers from participating schools across different parts of the country to access the training supporting KIC’s efforts to reach a wider network of educators participating in the competition.

Bringing Modern Agriculture into the Classroom

The School Farm Competition is designed to go beyond conventional classroom learning by giving students opportunities to experience agriculture practically and explore its potential as a pathway for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The introduction of drip irrigation and other modern agricultural practices provides students with an opportunity to understand how technology can help address challenges such as water scarcity, inefficient resource use and changing weather patterns.

Teachers are central to this process. As mentors and facilitators, they help students translate lessons into practical experience—cultivating crops, managing farm resources, observing results and solving challenges along the way.

By strengthening teachers’ understanding of irrigation technology, the training with Interplast gives educators an additional tool to help students appreciate the role of technology and innovation in modern agriculture.

Reaching More Than 500 Schools

This year, more than 500 schools across Ghana are participating in the KIC School Farm Competition, creating a significant opportunity to expose thousands of young people to practical agricultural knowledge and skills.

The programme encourages students to develop competencies in farming, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and entrepreneurship. Their school farms become practical learning environments where students can see how agricultural production connects with technology, business and food systems.

The irrigation training complements this experience by demonstrating that agriculture can be technology-driven, efficient and innovative, while encouraging students to think beyond traditional approaches to farming.

Investing in the Future of African Agriculture

The School Farm Competition is part of KIC’s broader commitment to inspiring a new generation to see agriculture differently—as a sector with the potential to create jobs, drive innovation, strengthen food systems and contribute to economic development.

By equipping teachers with practical knowledge of modern irrigation systems and creating opportunities for students to engage with agricultural technology, KIC and its partners are helping to build the knowledge and mindset needed for a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector.

As Africa seeks to transform its food systems, improve agricultural productivity and create meaningful economic opportunities for its growing youth population, connecting education, technology and agriculture is critical.

Through the School Farm Competition, KIC is helping to establish that connection early, empowering young people to see themselves not only as future farmers, but also as innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers capable of contributing to the transformation of agriculture in Ghana and across Africa.