The Directorate for Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the National Service Authority (NSA) to roll out the School Farms Presidential Initiative across senior high schools nationwide.

The MoU, signed on June 19, 2025, marks a major step in Ghana’s efforts to revolutionise agricultural education and promote food security by actively involving young people in agriculture and agribusiness.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of PIAA at the Office of the President, described the initiative as a game-changer for Ghana’s food production and youth development agenda.

“This agreement is the foundation for one of the most transformative initiatives undertaken by the H.E. President John Dramani Mahama-led administration. We are bringing practical food crop and livestock production directly into our senior high schools, creating a future generation of agri-entrepreneurs with the skills and mindset to lead Ghana’s agricultural transformation,” Dr Otokunor stated.

The initiative, he explained, is an offshoot of the Feed Ghana Programme launched by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, aimed at reimagining agriculture as a tech-driven, profitable future for the country’s youth.

“We are not just launching another programme; we are rethinking agriculture as a viable, modernised career path for our students. The School Farm Presidential Initiative is structured to train students in practical, hands-on farming and agribusiness—from the classroom to the field,” he added.

Under the programme, over 700 senior high schools across the country will be onboarded, engaging more than 80,000 students and cultivating over 6,000 acres of farmland. Students will gain practical experience in the production of staple crops such as maize, cowpea, and vegetables, alongside training in sustainable farming practices and agribusiness management.

Dr Otokunor emphasised that the programme will be guided by a detailed implementation roadmap developed by a Joint Implementation Committee comprising the partner institutions.

A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is being set up with support from the Ministries of Education, Food and Agriculture, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The committee will oversee coordination, monitor progress, and ensure the delivery of measurable outcomes.

The School Farms Presidential Initiative forms part of the government’s broader agenda to build a resilient, youth-driven agricultural sector while addressing food security and creating sustainable employment for Ghana’s future generations.