College of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences

Leventis Foundation Farmers Training Programme

Introduction

Leventis Foundation Farmers' Training Programme (LFFTP) is a sponsored farmer-based training programme under the auspices of Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS), University of Ghana. It is a joint project sponsored by LEVENTIS FOUNDATION, London and implemented by the Institute of Agricultural Research of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana.

Objective

The programme was set up to train practicing and would-be farmers, especially the youth, equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills to enable them engage in sustainable commercial agricultural enterprises while at the same time protecting the environment.

Background

The programme started in 1989/90 with 13 young farmers drawn from Greater Accra, Eastern and Western regions of Ghana. The training has been on-going since its inception over the last two decades. Participants have been drawn from across the ten regions of Ghana, and to-date over 900 Ghanaian youth have benefitted from the training.

The training is essentially experiential and hands-on designed to empower energetic Ghanaians young to pursue farming as a business to enhance the growth of the food industry while protecting the environment. The annual 10-month (February-December) training programme is residential and fully sponsored at NO COST to the trainee farmer. The programme is run at the three agricultural research centres of the Institute of Agricultural Research, namely;

LIVESTOCK & POULTRY RESEARCH CENTRE (LIPREC), located near Ashaley-Botwe, Accra
SOIL & IRRIGATION RESEARCH CENTRE (SIREC), located at Kpong
FOREST & HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE (FOHCREC), Located at Okumaning, Kade

The programme has hostel facilities at all three Centres. The hostels are equipped with well-furnished accommodation, classrooms and dining halls. Boarding and lodging and tuition are FREE of charge to the trainee farmer.