Women farmers in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region are boosting agricultural productivity thanks to new mechanised tools provided through a major youth and women empowerment initiative.
AGRA Ghana, in partnership with Agri-Invest Limited and the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA), is implementing the Strengthening Access to Mechanisation for Agri-Businesses for Enhanced Youth Employment Opportunities project in Jeduako.
The project, part of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, aims to create employment opportunities for young people while improving farm productivity. Beyond Ashanti, youth in the Upper West, Northern, Bono East, and North East regions are also benefiting from the initiative.
Working closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the project seeks to expand access to affordable mechanisation services and financing for youth-led agribusinesses.
During a visit to Jeduako, Kofi Kyeremanteng Nyanteng, who also serves as project coordinator, said the intervention has reached 510 beneficiaries, including 350 youth, 70% of whom are women.
“The initiative connects youth to mechanisation service opportunities, trains them on simple income-generating tools, and links them to affordable financing options,” he explained.
Ellison Owusu Fordjour of KITA added that the project is building participants’ capacities, aiming to empower over 3,000 people, including women and youth. Push planters and handheld shellers have been deployed to support farm operations.
For beneficiaries, the impact has been transformative.
“At first, I couldn’t feed my family. But since joining the group, I’ve been getting requests to shell corn using the machine, earning about ¢50 for two bags, which helps me feed my family,” said Rahinatu Hamidu. “I also earn ¢200 planting corn on two acres. These machines have been very helpful for additional income.”
Rose Amponsah added, “The maize shellers are a game-changer. Before AGRA brought these machines, we had to wait in long queues for equipment. Now, I even shell maize between hairdressing jobs to increase my income, which has discouraged youth from leaving the community.”
Margaret Boateng highlighted efficiency gains: “Previously, I couldn’t plant a one-acre field in a day. With the planter, I can plant an acre in less than a day, reducing labour costs and increasing profits.”
Patricia Manu said, “Since we got this equipment, we’ve become more efficient. I can plant an acre of rice in a day. I couldn’t afford education after my father passed away, and I was unemployed. This youth group has given me a job and income to buy food. We need more equipment like this.”
The project demonstrates how mechanisation and targeted support can empower women and youth, increase farm productivity, and generate income, ultimately strengthening rural communities across Ghana.