The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has successfully concluded a five-month intensive training in hybrid maize seed production, equipping a new cohort of young and women agripreneurs with critical skills to strengthen seed systems in Ghana.
Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and funded by the World Bank-supported Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), the initiative was aimed at building local capacity for high-quality seed production as part of broader efforts to boost agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
The graduation ceremony, held at the CSIR-SARI Seminar Room in Nyankpala on Thursday, June 19, marked the culmination of months of hands-on training involving classroom sessions and field demonstrations. 10 trainees who graduated were drawn from 9 seed companies, with many already planning to start their own hybrid maize seed enterprises.
“We didn’t just teach theory. We walked the fields, Trainees learned to identify male and female rows, follow planting patterns, practice detasseling and rogueing, and manage irrigation and pest control. “The knowledge shared was both practical and in-depth, ensuring participants are fully equipped to produce hybrid maize seeds independently,” said Dr. Gloria Boakyewaa Adu, the lead facilitator of the program.
Delivering remarks at the event, Mr. George Prah, a representative of MoFA/FSRP, underscored the rising demand for hybrid maize seeds across the country and beyond.
“This is not just about producing seed—it’s about creating businesses and opportunities. The market for hybrid maize is expanding rapidly. We need you to step in, produce quality seeds, and learn to brand and market them effectively,” he stated.
Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to driving innovation and youth engagement in agriculture.
“We are proud of this partnership with FSRP and MoFA. We want you, our trainees, to consider yourselves as partners in progress. Link up with agribusinesses, leverage what you’ve learned, and help Ghana achieve food security and build resilient farming systems,” he encouraged.
The graduates expressed gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted the relevance of the training.
“As a young woman, I never thought I could become a seed producer. This training has given me confidence and direction. I am going to put everything I have learned here into practice. After the training I know I can now become a big seed producer in my area.” shared Trisha Akoriba Yusontaa, a participant from Upper West Region.
“It was a life-changing experience,” added Francis Anarfo from Upper East Region. “I now understand the science behind seed production and have started preparing my field for the next planting season.”
The program is part of a larger strategy by the Government of Ghana and its partners to build a resilient food system by empowering youth and women to take on leadership roles in agricultural value chains.
As the trainees return to their communities, CSIR-SARI and MoFA will continue to provide technical support to ensure that the knowledge imparted translates into viable seed production enterprises capable of meeting both local and national seed demand.