Nyankpala (N/R), July 3 – Ten young agripreneurs have completed a five-month intensive training programme in hybrid maize seed production, aimed at building local capacity for high-quality seed development.
The trainees, drawn from nine seed companies, received both classroom instruction and practical field demonstrations. Many of them are already preparing to launch their hybrid maize seed businesses.
The training was organized by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and funded through the World Bank-supported Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP).
Dr. Gloria Boakyewaa Adu, lead facilitator of the programme, said the training was efficient.
“We didn’t just teach theory. We walked the fields. Trainees learned to identify male and female rows, follow planting patterns, practise detasseling and rogueing, and manage irrigation and pest control,” she explained.
She said participants now have the skills to produce hybrid maize seed with confidence independently.
Mr. George Prah, representing MoFA and FSRP, stressed the growing demand for hybrid maize across Ghana and beyond.
“This is not just about producing seed; it’s about creating businesses and opportunities. The market for hybrid maize is expanding rapidly. We need you to step in, produce quality seeds, and learn to brand and market them effectively,” he told the graduates.
Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to youth empowerment and agricultural innovation.
“We are proud of this partnership with FSRP and MoFA. We want you, our trainees, to consider yourselves as partners in progress. Link up with agribusinesses, leverage what you’ve learned, and help Ghana achieve food security and build resilient farming systems,” he said.
The trainees expressed their excitement and confidence as they graduated.
Trisha Akoriba Yusontaa from the Upper West Region said, “As a young woman, I never thought I could become a seed producer. This training has given me confidence and direction. I am going to put everything I have learned here into practice. I know I can now become a big seed producer in my area.”
Francis Anarfo from the Upper East Region said the experience had transformed his understanding of agriculture.
“I now understand the science behind seed production and have started preparing my field for the next planting season,” he noted.
CSIR-SARI and MoFA state that they will continue to provide technical support to the graduates, ensuring their efforts translate into viable seed enterprises capable of meeting both local and national demand.
