In a bid to strengthen agribusiness and entrepreneurship capacities among extension agents, the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), in collaboration with the Agribusiness Facility for Africa Project, organized a four-day master training workshop for 17 selected trainers and extension officers. The intensive training, held from May 6 to May 9, 2025, at CSIR-SARI’s Nyankpala campus, aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and facilitation skills in agribusiness, financial literacy, gender inclusion, and community-based financial models.

The training workshop employed a participatory methodology, combining PowerPoint presentations, group work, plenary discussions, role play, and experience sharing. Each day was dedicated to one key module to ensure in-depth understanding and practical engagement.

Day 1 – Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship:
Participants were introduced to the concepts of agribusiness and entrepreneurship, focusing on identifying income-generating opportunities and transitioning from subsistence farming to commercially oriented agripreneurship. Topics included strategic thinking, economic principles such as demand and supply, crop budgeting, market identification, and enterprise development. The session sought to instill an entrepreneurial mindset among participants.

Day 2 – Finance, Record-Keeping, Business Cycle, and the Value Chain:
This session emphasized financial management, including record-keeping practices, budgeting, and cost‒benefit analysis. Trainers were also taken through the seed value chain, highlighting the roles of various actors and the importance of quality seeds in productivity. The module aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of how to build strong business foundations within the agricultural value chain.

Day 3 – Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA):
Participants explored the structure and operations of VSLAs as community-driven financial systems. Through practical demonstrations, they learned group formation processes, savings cycles, and fund disbursement procedures. Tools such as mobile money platforms and VSLA tracking apps were also introduced to support transparency and efficiency in managing community savings groups.

Day 4 – Gender Inclusion:
The final module addressed the critical need for equitable access to resources for both men and women. Participants discussed existing gender barriers and shared real-life experiences to propose actionable solutions for promoting inclusivity. Special attention was given to empowering women and youth in agribusiness and leadership roles within agricultural communities.

Reflecting on the overall training, Dr. Prince Etwire, lead facilitator and Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI, stated:
“Our goal is not just to inform, but to transform. By equipping trainers with both knowledge and the right tools, we’re multiplying the impact. These 17 trainers will now go on to empower hundreds of farmers with practical, business-minded approaches to agriculture.”

One of the participants, , an extension officer from the Northern Region, also shared her experience:
“This training has shifted my perspective completely. I now feel more confident not only to support farmers with technical advice but to guide them on how to make their farms more profitable and sustainable.”

At the close of the workshop, participants expressed commitment to conducting step-down trainings for over 100 smallholder farmers across various operational zones. The successful completion of this master training marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroots capacity for agricultural transformation in Northern Ghana.

CSIR-SARI remains committed to fostering innovation and human capital development in agriculture through strategic partnerships and impactful training programmes.