rice

A group of 19 young women between the ages of 15 and 35 have completed a hands-on training in rice and soybean processing, equipping them with practical skills to launch value-added agribusinesses and secure dignified livelihoods.

The three-day training, organized by Newage Agric Solutions, a consortium partner under the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program, took place in Akuse as part of ongoing efforts to promote youth employment and women’s empowerment through agricultural value addition.

In the heart of the Shai Osudoku district, where agriculture is a lifeline for many, a remarkable story of transformation unfolds—Once a food vendor selling beans and gari (popularly called gobɛ in Ghana), Portia Azanda has risen to become a certified tractor operator and farm supervisor of 62 hectares of rice fields. 

The Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited has rolled out an ambitious and transformative program dubbed Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) to be implemented by eight Implementing Partners including NewAge Agric Solutions, National Service Scheme (NSS), Ghana Cares (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Jobberman.