The consortium implementing the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program held an exhibition on October 30, 2024, to showcase products produced under the program.
The exhibition, held at the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) Ghana CARES Economic Enclave in Kasunya, Shai-Osudoku District, brought together key program partners, including Newage Agric Solutions, the National Service Authority, Ghana CARES (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Jobberman.
The event showcased a variety of agricultural products developed through the HAPPY Program, focusing on rice, poultry, tomatoes, and soybeans, along with other products designed by participants.
Notably, products like Evivi rice, Nana’s rice, eggs, and grilled broiler chicken highlighted the innovative strides in youth-driven agribusiness.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Juliana Asante-Dartey, Deputy CEO of Agri-Impact Limited, expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation and the HAPPY Program implementing partners, highlighting their essential role in advancing youth participation in agriculture through the HAPPY Program.
In a speech read on his behalf, MiDA CEO Michael Asare Bediako emphasized the collaborative efforts powering the Kasunya Economic Enclave, which serves as a launchpad for empowering young Ghanaian farmers.
With MiDA’s support, the enclave currently houses over 500 youth engaged in diverse agricultural activities, including rice cultivation, catfish farming, and value-added production.
According to the CEO, “The Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program is a model of how public-private collaboration can revolutionize Ghana’s agricultural landscape, equipping youth with tools for economic self-reliance.”
Attendees also enjoyed a guided tour of the AgroKings farmland, an anchor partner for rice production under the HAPPY Program.
The site tour featured various facilities, including a rice seedling factory, input warehouse, catfish farm, irrigation station, and a unique center for sewing and welding furniture—providing a firsthand look at the resources and innovative practices that have transformed the enclave into a productive agricultural hub.
The Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program, initiated to bolster youth employment in agriculture, has seen tremendous progress since its inception. Year one successfully engaged over 90,000 youth, with a target to add an additional 130,000 participants in Year two.
