Mastercard, Agri-Impact launch project to create 330,000 jobs for youth in agriculture

Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited, a private entity focused on agribusiness, has launched a transformative initiative dubbed the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Project.

This program aims to create sustainable opportunities for young people within the agricultural sector.

Speaking to the media following an engagement with stakeholders on Friday, 27th September at GIMPA, Mr. Abraham Safo, a value chain and enterprise expert at Agri-Impact Ghana, revealed that in less than a year of operation, his organisation has created over 80,000 jobs for Ghanaian youth.

He further highlighted the broader goal of the program: “Our objective is to provide 330,000 jobs for graduates in the agricultural sector.” Mr. Safo emphasised that this initiative aims not only to offer employment to the country’s youth but also to reduce the reliance on imports.

He noted that Agri-Impact works closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, specifically in the crop production and animal research branches.

He also revealed that through this collaboration, the program has granted five acres of land to Ghanaian youth for rice cultivation. Additionally, the initiative has played a key role in reviving several collapsed poultry farms, helping to re-establish commercial chicken production in the country, according to him.

Addressing participants, Emmanuel Owusu, an executive of the GIMPA branch of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), explained that the event was organised to expose members to opportunities within the agricultural value chain and address the rising issue of unemployment.

He urged members to explore careers in agriculture, noting that with modern innovations, individuals can now engage in the sector remotely and generate substantial income to support themselves and their families.

To encourage members to explore careers in the agricultural sector, Mr. Owusu highlighted how the industry has evolved. “Agriculture has changed,” he said, noting that with modern innovations, individuals can now engage in the sector from the comfort of their homes and generate substantial income to support themselves and their families.

He emphasised that farming is no longer limited to rural areas or those without formal education but is now accessible to educated individuals who can leverage technology and innovation to succeed in agribusiness.