Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) continues to empower young entrepreneurs through its renowned AgriTech Challenge Classic Program, working in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

At the heart of this program are the Market Research Tours, an essential component designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking while exposing participants to the realities and opportunities within Ghana’s agricultural landscape.

The AgriTech Challenge Classic, KIC’s flagship initiative is a seven-month program, that equips young Ghanaians with capacity building and mindset change about agriculture. Participants are provided with the tools to identify challenges within the agricultural sector and solve problems while building sustainable agritech and agribusinesses.

Through the Market Research Tours, participants embark on immersive field visits to various agricultural regions and businesses across the country.

These tours serve as a hands-on learning experience, allowing participants to witness firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the sector, from farm operations to agribusiness value chains.

The participating universities for this year’s Challenge include the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ho Technical University (HTU) and Koforidua Technical University (KTU).

Others are University of Development Studies (UDS), SD Dombo University of Business &  Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS),  University of Energy and Natural Resource (UENR), C. K. Tedam the University of Technology and Applied Sciences; Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Damongo Agricultural College; Kwadaso Agricultural College; Ejura Agric College and Mechanization Center and Ohawu Agricultural College.

During the tours, participants interact with farmers, agribusiness owners, and other key stakeholders, gaining valuable insights into the needs and demands of the agricultural market.

This exposure is key in shaping their entrepreneurial ventures, ensuring that their business ideas are rooted in real-world needs and have the potential to scale and drive impact.

Speaking about the significance of the Market Research Tours, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director for Kosmos Innovation Center noted, "The market research activity is pivotal to the ideation process for the agritech teams participating in the AgriTech Challenge Classic.

The tours not only provide participants with an opportunity to understand the agricultural sector better but also challenge them to think creatively about solutions to the problems they encounter on the field."

Through these tours, young innovators are inspired to think beyond conventional agriculture, exploring how technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship can be harnessed to tackle pressing issues such as food security, sustainability,  climate change and efficiency within the agricultural sector.

Since its inception, KIC AgriTech Challenge Classic has produced more than 60 startups, many of which attribute their breakthrough ideas to the knowledge and exposure gained during the Market Research Tours.

Participants leave the program with the confidence and skills to launch businesses that create jobs, drive innovation, and contribute to Ghana’s agricultural transformation.

As KIC continues to nurture the next generation of agripreneurs, the Market Research Tours remain a cornerstone of their approach, ensuring that young minds are exposed to both the opportunities and the realities