The 3rd edition of the Agric Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Boot-camp (AG-STUD) 2020 is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 10th to Friday, March 13th, 2020 at the Coconut Groove Hotel, Sakumono, Accra.
The Agricultural students’ Career Guidance & Mentorship Dialogue Boot-camp which, since its launch two years ago, has attracted a lot of commendation from the government and industry players, is a practical beginner Agribusiness initiative launched two years ago by Agrihouse Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The agricultural Bootcamp is designed to inspire and grow Agric students, beginner agribusinesses and start-ups’ expertise in the entire value chain of agriculture, while also exposing them to the dynamics of the market through education and leadership programs essential for achieving success in agriculture and agribusiness. The program also inculcates leadership values into the youth, as well as best farm management skills in these beginner farmers.
This year, under the theme: Growing Futures: Establishing the Agric Youth, Agrihouse Foundation is further reinforcing the sustained growth and development of the Agric student by setting up Business Club Units in the institutions as another important part of the programme.
The Business Club Units comprise a team of 15 students and representatives of corporate organizations who adopt and mentor the students throughout their journey. The Club Units function as agribusinesses, led by a Managing Director with floor members. The units implement various models to access funds for their businesses. The agri-businesses are the initiatives of students who are empowered to manage the growth and development of the businesses.
AG-STUD 2020 promises more value and excitement. Nine (9) schools are participating and would have the opportunity to present pitches in a business plan competition for a prize at the end of the Boot-camp.
The participating schools already have the business club units up and running at their various institutions with active social media handles where updates on their businesses and challenges are posted regularly.
These institutions include University of Ghana (Legon), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kwadaso Agricultural College, University of Developmental Studies (UDS), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Fair River Farm Institute, Damango Agricultural College, Asuansi Farm Institute and Northern Agri-Youth Hub.
The 4-day program would have in attendance over 600 participants with activities like field visits, mentorship, seminar, training, capacity building, and pitching competition. Topics for pitching would be selected based on students’ agribusiness areas of interest. Winners of the competition would be provided with agri-materials and funding to start up their own businesses.
This development-based initiative of Agrihouse Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), also serves as a reliable source of employment and income generator for students even after graduation, thereby reducing the unemployment rate and increasing the economic growth of the country.
Previous sponsors of AG-STUD Boot-camp included the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dizengoff Ghana, RMG, John Deere, Indomie, Far East Mercantile Limited, Blue Skies, A1 Bread, Agro Volta, Agricinghana, Business and Financial Times.
