A team from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), under its TAGDev 2.0 Programme, has partnered with the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) to drive inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient socio-economic development through agriculture and youth empowerment.
The initiative, which is being rolled out across selected districts in the Central, Volta, Bono, and Northern regions, aims to strengthen universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to better serve local communities.
The programme is implemented in partnership with RUFORUM, Mastercard Foundation, the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and Life Sciences (GCHERA), and 12 African universities.
Speaking during engagements with the Faculty of Agriculture at UDS and UENR, the Coordinator of the UCC TAGDev 2.0 Programme, Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong, explained that the goal is to empower Africa’s young people and institutions to lead a transformation of agriculture and agri-food systems.
“This programme seeks to transform our universities from just academic institutions into engines of growth,” he said. “We want to move innovations from the classroom and research labs into the communities where they can have real impact creating jobs, enhancing food security, and improving livelihoods.”
According to him, UDS will work in partnership with the Departments of Agriculture in the Sagnarigu Municipal, Tolon District, and Kumbungu District Assemblies in the Northern Region to expand production and the value chain for tomatoes, other vegetables, and yam.
In the Bono Region, UENR will collaborate with the Departments of Agriculture in Sunyani West, Dormaa Central, and Berekum West Assemblies to support youth in expanding the cultivation and processing of tomatoes, cassava, pineapple, and other vegetables.
“As part of our strategy, we are identifying superior crop varieties that can thrive in these areas and working with local farmers, especially women, to scale up their production,” Prof. Annor-Frempong added. But it doesn’t end there, we are also connecting these farmers to agro-processors and looking at how we can help them meet certification and international standards.”
He stressed that the programme’s success will depend on how well universities can play a leadership role in building capacity and linking innovation to market-ready solutions, noting “If you have innovations in the university, the goal is to multiply their benefits,” he said.
“For example, if we have developed superior yam varieties, we want to link farmers to processors and ensure the entire value chain from cleaning, packaging, standardization, to certification is strengthened.”
The team also conducted needs assessments at the district level to identify gaps in logistics, technical expertise, and community engagement. This will inform the support provided to local agriculture departments to empower young people and women in agribusiness.
TAGDev 2.0 is the second phase of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development Programme, aimed at bridging the gap between higher education and the development needs of communities.
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