UG Named National Best University in Practical Agriculture at 41st National Farmers’ Day Celebration

The University of Ghana has been adjudged the National Best University in Practical Agriculture at the 41st National Farmers’ Day Celebration, 2025, reaffirming its growing influence in agricultural training, innovation and food systems research.

The award was presented at the national event held in Ho, in the Volta Region, which was attended by President John Mahama, Minister for Food and Agriculture Hon. Eric Opoku, industry partners and farmers. The package included a tractor with implements, two motorised jet sprayers, five cutlasses, five bags of 30kg compost fortifier, five knapsack sprayers, Wellington boots and assorted agro-chemicals.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare, received the award on behalf of the University, accompanied by the Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Eric Nartey and some senior officials and staff.

This year’s celebration, held under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future!”, highlighted institutions contributing significantly to food production and agricultural capacity building.

Prof. Awandare described the recognition as “a huge pride and honour” for the University of Ghana. He said, “We, as the Premier University, lead in many fields and today, it has been formalised that we lead in practical agriculture.” He noted that the recognition reflects the dedication of faculty, staff and students across the School of Agriculture, West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) and other Centres of Excellence within the University. “Collectively, they have worked hard to put the University on top in terms of agricultural training,” Prof. Awandare emphasised. 

Commenting on plans to sustain UG’s gains in agriculture, Prof. Awandare added, “The first thing is to keep doing what we are already doing and even more. With this award, we receive recognition, which opens doors for further partnerships, funding and support, while also motivating staff and students to work harder. We are poised to defend this title next year and for the foreseeable future.”

For his part, the Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Eric Nartey, described the national recognition as “a great feeling for the School.” He added, “The School has already signed up for the Feed Ghana Programme and has been entrusted with the cultivation of rice and maize. Now,  this award package will go a long way in improving our farming activities.”

He announced that the School will roll out new vocational short courses in agriculture including vegetable production, crop production, seed development, food processing and fertilizer production, among others. He extended an invitation to all, especially young people seeking vocational skills to sign up for these training programmes beginning in 2026.

The recognition is the culmination of years of work led by the School of Agriculture, specialised centres and constituent units that continue to expand the University’s footprint through teaching farms, demonstration fields and partnerships that enhance hands-on learning and research uptake.

A major addition to these efforts is the recently commissioned Vegetable Hub of Excellence, developed with support from MTN Ghana, the MTN Ghana Foundation and Defarmacist, a UG alumni-led group. The Hub is expected to strengthen practical training in modern vegetable production, greenhouse operations, irrigation systems, agribusiness and climate-smart agriculture, contributing to the training of a new generation of skilled and entrepreneurial agricultural professionals.

Specialised research centres under the School remain central to national agricultural development. The Livestock and Poultry Research Centre (Nungua) continues to work in animal breeding, nutrition, disease control and improved production systems. The Soil and Irrigation Research Centre (Kpong) advances sustainable soil management and irrigation technologies, while the Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre (Kade) supports research in forest crops, horticulture and value chain enhancement.

Impactful projects such as the UG Nkabom Collaborative are also strengthening the University’s contribution to national food systems through multidisciplinary research, community outreach, capacity development and policy engagement. Its pillars, Education & Empowerment, Access & Success and Entrepreneurship, have supported training for youth, women and persons with disabilities in agriculture, nutrition, climate adaptation and livelihood enhancement.

University Management commends faculty, researchers, technical staff and field workers whose commitment across the School of Agriculture and its centres places UG at the heart of Ghana’s agricultural development and supports its mission of delivering impactful solutions to national development challenges.