FarmYield Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization, has launched the second phase of its flagship “One Youth One Acre” initiative, doubling its intake of participants in the Upper East Region.
The “One Youth One Acre” initiative is a youth-focused agricultural development programme implemented by FarmYield Ghana to address barriers such as limited access to land, inputs, and technical support, particularly among young women.
Under the programme, each participant is allocated one acre of farmland within a structured block farming system and supported with mechanisation services, quality inputs including seeds, fertilisers, and herbicides, as well as continuous agronomic guidance.
In addition to practical farming support, participants receive training in good agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, business management, and record-keeping.
The programme also includes mentorship and empowerment sessions designed to build confidence and leadership among the youth.
To address market challenges, the initiative would facilitate market access through aggregation centres, enabling participants to sell produce at fair and competitive prices.
It aims to increase agricultural productivity, improve incomes, enhance food security, and reduce rural-urban migration by creating viable opportunities for young people within their communities.
At an orientation ceremony in Zuarungu, Mr Emmanuel Nsobila, the Chief Operations Officer of the organisation, said the programme was expanded from ten participants in its inaugural year to 20 for the current cycle, and each participant was allocated an acre plot within a structured block farming system.
“We provide all the necessary support, starting with land and quality seeds, and we have a team that will guide participants through the entire process, from land preparation to harvesting,” Mr Nsobila said.
He explained that the programme integrated both practical and business-focused training, adding that, “the goal is to guide participants through the full process, not only the practical aspects of farming, but also marketing, record keeping, bookkeeping, and accounting.
“We want to build an entrepreneurial mind-set, not just train farmers,” the Chief Operations Officer said.
He emphasised that the initiative’s curriculum extended beyond manual labour saying, “Our goal is to build an entrepreneurial mindset. We are guiding participants through the full value chain, not just the practical aspects of farming, but also marketing, record-keeping, and accounting.
“We are not just training farmers; we are building business owners,” he added.
He said the success of the first phase attracted international attention and indicated that several global organizations were exploring partnerships to provide post-training support, including: business registration, financial inclusion, and transition to independence.
Mr Nsobila highlighted growing interest from external partners, and said several international organisations expressed interest in supporting the initiative.
“Some partners are already looking at supporting participants after the training, including business registration and access to financial services.
“This year, participants received practical training, and next year, they will farm independently with continued input support from us,” the Chief Operations Officer said.
Touching on activities of the organization, Mr Nsobila said FarmYield Ghana, which also operated as FarmYield Africa, was dedicated to transforming smallholder farming in Northern Ghana into a sustainable, profitable enterprise.
He said through innovation in mechanisation and input financing, the organisation works to build resilient agricultural systems that empower youth and women and drive long-term economic impact.
Mr Felix Adombila Nsoh, a participant said he was aiming to use his training to support vulnerable groups saying, “My expectation is to gain knowledge in agripreneurship to create sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers, especially women and persons living with disabilities.”
For Madam Dorcas Apugi, she aims to refine her techniques through the initiative. “By the end of this six-month programme, I expect to have deepened my agricultural knowledge and enhanced my current farming operations,” she said.
By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
