Youth-led Agricultural Innovation in Ghana Shines at AgriTech Challenge Pro
In a commendable stride towards the transformation of Ghana's agricultural sector, the 2025 AgriTech Challenge Pro has made a significant impact on the economy and employment opportunities for young people. The initiative, spearheaded by Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), has fostered innovation in agribusiness and supported youth-led startups.
Gyan-Kesse, in his comments, emphasised the transformative power of agriculture and technology, praising the brilliance and resilience of Ghana's youth. He highlighted the innovations showcased in the Challenge Pro, which has onboarded 22 youth-led agribusiness startups into KIC's Business Incubation Program.
These startups, ranging from Agro KiniSols (guinea fowl farming) to Rabbitton Ghana (animal feed innovation), are transforming traditional farming practices across livestock, aquaculture, and crop production. Notable among these is Mushplus Agri-Foods, which won critical national recognition, fuelling growth in local food processing and packaging industries.
The Challenge Pro has also advanced skills development and empowerment for young people and women, offering practical training in various agricultural fields such as livestock, mushroom farming, snail farming, and cereal production. This promotion of inclusive agricultural entrepreneurship has boosted job creation and livelihood opportunities in rural and peri-urban areas.
Moreover, the event has enhanced the resilience and sustainability of Ghana’s food systems through climate-smart agriculture and innovation champions. This initiative contributes to the economy by increasing productivity and food security.
The 2025 AgriTech Challenge Pro acts as a catalyst within Ghana’s agricultural ecosystem, linking young innovators to capital, technical mentoring, and markets. This drive towards economic growth and addressing youth unemployment in agriculture is facilitated through KIC's network and support systems.
Looking ahead, selected teams from the Challenge Pro will scale up their businesses and refine their solutions, further cementing the initiative's impact on Ghana's agricultural sector and economy. The bootcamp and incubation approach of the Challenge Pro build strong teams and sharpen entrepreneurial skills for impactful agribusiness ventures.
[1] Kosmos Innovation Center. (n.d.). 2025 AgriTech Challenge Pro. Retrieved from https://www.kic-gh.com/agritech-challenge-pro/ [2] GhanaWeb. (2021, September 24). Mushplus Agri-Foods Wins National Award at the 2021 Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Awards. Retrieved from https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Mushplus-Agri-Foods-Wins-National-Award-at-the-2021-Ghana-Entrepreneur-and-Corporate-Awards-966558 [3] Modern Ghana. (2021, October 12). Mushplus Agri-Foods Wins National Award. Retrieved from https://www.modernghana.com/news/1217504/mushplus-agrifoods-wins-national-award.html [4] Kosmos Innovation Center. (n.d.). Impact. Retrieved from https://www.kic-gh.com/impact/ [5] Kosmos Innovation Center. (n.d.). AgriTech Challenge Pro. Retrieved from https://www.kic-gh.com/agritech-challenge-pro/
Technology plays a crucial role in the transformative power of agriculture, as evidenced by the innovations showcased in the 2022 AgriTech Challenge Pro, such as Agro KiniSols, Rabbitton Ghana, and Mushplus Agri-Foods. These startups are leveraging technology to revolutionize farming practices in livestock, aquaculture, and crop production.
