The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has handed over advanced agricultural technology and digital tools to five agricultural colleges across the country to modernise agricultural education and extension services.

​The intervention targets Kwadaso, Wenchi, Ejura, Damongo, and Ohawu agricultural colleges. 

The package includes 15 mini drones, soil testers, moisture meters, weather stations, GPS devices, Internet of Things (IoT) sensor kits, greenhouse environmental control learning kits, high-performance computers, business laptops, and specialised software for drone flight simulation, spraying simulation, and data processing.

​Delivering the key address at the handing-over ceremony, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, stated that the initiative represents a strategic shift toward data-informed and technology-driven farming practices in Ghana.

​"What we are witnessing today goes beyond the handover of agricultural equipment. It represents an investment in knowledge, in skills, innovation and most importantly in the young men and women who will shape the future of Ghana's agriculture," Mr Opoku said, adding, "we cannot address the agricultural challenges of today using only tools and approaches of yesterday”.

​The Minister highlighted the strategic role of the beneficiary colleges, noting that their graduates serve as extension officers who interface directly with smallholder farmers nationwide.

By training students on precision tools such as evaluating soil conditions before applying nutrients, monitoring weather patterns, and managing soil moisture, he said the capacity of the entire agricultural extension pipeline will be enhanced.

​Beyond hardware procurement, Mr Opoku stated that the initiative includes capacity-building programmes for instructors, the modernisation of course curricula, and the integration of digital modules into teaching methodologies to ensure long-term institutional sustainability.

He also commended the broader developmental contributions of the WFP and KOICA in Ghana, pointing to complementary programmes in post-harvest management, climate resilience, and local manufacturing.

​Under the Local Fabricators Post-Harvest Equipment Programme in partnership with the Gratis Foundation, Mr Opoku highlighted that 231 young artisans have fabricated 300 threshers comprising 200 for maize and 100 for soybeans to reduce crop losses and boost local engineering capacity. 

Additionally, through the Changing Lives Transformation Fund, he stated that over 10,000 smallholder farmers across 17 districts in the Bono, Bono East, and Savannah regions are receiving support in climate-smart practices alongside the distribution of more than 1.2 million cashew, mango, and moringa seedlings to foster carbon market integration.

The Minister urged principals, instructors, and students of the five colleges to maximise the utility of the equipment.

​"The real measure of success will be what happens after today," Mr Opoku stressed, emphasising that "it will be reflected in how effectively our instructors use these technologies in teaching, how confidently our students acquire and apply new skills, and ultimately how these investments contribute to a more productive, competitive, and resilient agricultural sector”.

For her part, WFP Country Director, Aurore Rusiga underscored that deploying digital innovation is critical to addressing persistent national challenges including food insecurity, climate variability, declining soil health, and post-harvest losses.

​"At WFP, our interest in digital agriculture starts with a much bigger question: How can we build food systems that work better for everyone?" Rusiga said, adding, "technology alone is not enough. Realising this potential requires people with the knowledge and skills to apply them effectively in real agricultural settings”.

​She explained that agricultural colleges serve as the primary entry point for training extension officers and technicians who directly support smallholder farmers. 

By embedding digital skills into the colleges' curricula, the initiative aims to enhance the overall quality and efficiency of agricultural extension services nationwide.

Mr Dong Wan Woo, the Country Director of KOICA Ghana Office, also reaffirmed the agency's commitment to building human capacity and driving technological innovation in Ghana’s agricultural sector through the official handover of modern agri-tech equipment.

​He stressed that rapid shifts in global agriculture require young professionals to possess hands-on technical competencies alongside traditional academic training.

​"Agriculture is changing rapidly, and technology is becoming more important in how farmers access information, manage risks and make decisions," Mr Woo said.

He continued: "Young agricultural professionals therefore need not only classroom knowledge, but also practical experience with modern technologies."