The Ecological Agriculture Department of Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has organised a seminar on sustainable agriculture and agribusiness development for students, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly farming practices and entrepreneurship in the sector.
The seminar, held at the university’s main campus at Sumbrungu, was funded by the European Union (EU) with technical support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund under the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills: Support Tertiary Education for Sustainable Employability initiative.
It provided a platform for students to interact with industry experts and gain practical insights into ecological farming methods and their role in addressing challenges within Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
A total of 84 students and seven faculty members participated in the seminar, which featured key industry players, including Dr Jacqueline Onumah, Head of the Ecological Agriculture Department at BTU, and Mr Maxwell Akandem, Chief Executive Officer of Akandem Farms, as well as Mr Matthew N. Akayeti, CEO of Heights Food Processing.
Speaking during the seminar, Mr Akandem highlighted the importance of soil restoration, water conservation, and climate adaptation strategies in sustainable farming.
He explained that practices such as composting, crop rotation, and the use of biochar could help restore degraded soils, reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, and improve productivity.
“Farmers can reduce fertiliser costs by up to 60 per cent while improving soil quality and yield,” he said.
He also outlined water conservation techniques such as mulching and low-cost drip irrigation, which he noted could help farmers adapt to climate variability, increase yields, and improve incomes.
On pest control, Mr Akandem recommended integrated pest management approaches, including the use of natural solutions such as neem extracts and chilli-garlic sprays, to reduce health risks and promote safer food production.
On his part, Mr Akayeti, spoke on climate-resilient food systems and innovative approaches to food processing, emphasising the need to integrate sustainable agricultural practices into agro-processing to develop environmentally friendly and market-ready products.
Ms Millicent Puruseh, Senior Assistant Guidance and Counselling Coordinator at BTU and Lead for Career Services under the project, said the university was strengthening industry collaborations and enhancing digital competencies to better prepare students for the job market.
She noted that BTU planned to organise more career-focused activities, including seminars, job fairs, field trips, and internships to provide students with practical exposure.
Mr Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor, Project Lead for the Integrated Digital Competency and Jobs Accelerator Project (IDAP) at BTU, said the initiative aligned with the broader goals of improving graduate employability, particularly in the green and digital sectors.
He indicated that funding support was being used to establish an Integrated Digital Skills and Employability Hub to train students in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, data analytics, and cybersecurity through platforms including IBM SkillsBuild.
The seminar also highlighted business opportunities in organic vegetable production, agro-processing, compost production, and seed multiplication, encouraging students to venture into agribusiness.
Participants were further taken through practical aspects of farm management, including time management, teamwork, and the importance of partnerships for internships, fieldwork, and research.
The organisers said such collaborations would help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, while equipping students with skills needed to thrive in Ghana’s evolving agricultural sector.
Source: GNA (By Anthony Adongo Apubeo)
