Ten innovative agriculture technology (AgricTech) entrepreneurs in Ghana have each been awarded a grant of US$7,400 as part of the United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resources in Africa’s (UNU-INRA) Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT) challenge. This initiative, which totals US$74,000, aims to empower these innovators to scale their impactful solutions for sustainable development. The selected beneficiaries emerged from a competitive pool of over 100 applicants who presented their concepts during the INFoCAT competition.
Among the recipients are notable companies such as iSOLAR Ghana, which has developed a smart solar-powered irrigation system capable of utilizing 3.5 megawatts of solar energy to irrigate up to 15 acres of farmland within just 4-5 hours. Other beneficiaries include Harvest Ease Innovators, focusing on agricultural mechanization, and Amuga Welding and Machine Shop, a metal fabrication enterprise. Additional recipients include WOBIL Technologies Ltd, Hormeku-Massis Enterprise, Das Biogas, Sunify Solar Dry Technology, and SAYeTECH, a Ghanaian agricultural technology firm.
The INFoCAT challenge is designed to support low-cost, clean energy-powered Agritech innovations, with a particular emphasis on enhancing access to reliable and sustainable energy technologies for smallholder women and youth farmers in Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity and income while reducing the labor burden associated with traditional farming practices. It also seeks to foster the growth of women-led enterprises within the Agritech sector, providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and training resources.
Dr. Ferdinand Tornyie, the INFoCAT Project Coordinator, highlighted the program’s broader objective of integrating small businesses into the green transition by supporting the development of green technologies that generate sustainable energy. He emphasized the importance of greening the selected technologies, stating that the best innovation among the ten will receive an additional US$34,000 for further scaling. To ensure that funds are utilized effectively, a robust audit system has been established to monitor the allocation and use of the grants.
In his keynote address, Professor Christopher Gordon, a former director at the University of Ghana, urged participants to collaborate and innovate within value chains to enhance their competitiveness against international counterparts. He stressed the importance of creating synergies among the innovators to develop viable products that can attract investment.
This initiative not only provides crucial financial support to Agritech innovators but also reinforces the commitment to sustainable agricultural practices in the region. By fostering collaboration and focusing on clean energy solutions, the INFoCAT challenge aims to create a more resilient agricultural sector that can effectively address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in West Africa.
