Thirty one students graduated from a four month Entrepreneur in Horticulture Programme sponsored by a Netherlands based NGO, Holland GreenTech (ACHI Project) at the Ohawu Agricultural College in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region.
This year’s programme has been the third in series and it has seen individuals from various professional backgrounds taking part in the programme. The programme trained the graduates from planting and growing various vegetables such as tomatoes, beetroot, habanero, ginger and others.
The graduates were trained to add value to the vegetables they produce by turning them to finished produce such as habanero juice, beetroot paste and many other products.
In his welcome address, the coordinator of the programme who doubles as the immediate past Vice Principal of the College, Mr. Prince Dzorgbenyuie Kwame Nyikplorkpo, said the third cohort of the programme has seen thirty one students graduating with certificates in Entrepreneurship in Agriculture. He was of the hope that all that the students had acquired from production of the various vegetables, processing the vegetables and marketing strategies taught them will help them in a long way to add value to agricultural produce from their own farms and from other farmers in their immediate communities.
Mr. Mawuli E.K. Sevor, The Acting Vice Principal, speaking on behalf of the Principal of the College, mentioned that aside the certificates awarded the graduates, they also had the skills and knowledge in business planning, preparation of pitches and vegetable production as well as product development and packaging. In all he said the graduates are now vegetable
entrepreneurs and are expected to make good use of the knowledge they had acquired from the college.
Most of the graduates expressed their excitement over the new skills they have acquired and were of the hope that the skills will add value to their experience in agricultural activities. They also shared some of the challenges they faced during the course as almost all of them are employees from various sectors of the economy such as teachers, health workers, electricians and other public sector workers.
Sharing his biggest challenge, Mr. Makafui Kpata, a photographer said he is so passionate about Agriculture and had to combine the course with photography but with determination, he was able to sail through.
Mr. Sylvester Nkrumah who commutes from Takoradi every weekend also said he spends nothing less than Ghc 700.00 every week to attend the course. He was so delighted that he was able to go through.
A seventy-three year old electrician, Mr. Alfred Yao Afetornyo Nutsuakor said despite his age, he is passionate to enroll on the course as that will help him utilize the skills he has acquired on his farm.
There were exhibitions of various products as projects done by the graduates.
At the end of the presentations of the various projects, group three emerged winners. The group focuses
on the production of various tea products such as moringa and other fruits.
Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, who graced the occasion, were full of praise of the enthusiasm and dedication exhibited by the participants.
Ohawu Agricultural College is a tertiary agricultural institution in the Ketu North Municipality in the Volta Region. The college was established by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide middle level manpower for the ministry and other allied institutions in the country.
The college trains extension officers and agriculture entrepreneurs. The college runs a two year Diploma in General Agriculture, a one year Certificate in General Agriculture, a three year Higher National Diploma (HND) in General Agriculture and a year Diploma in Animal Health.
Reported by: Francis Yram Kaledzi