UEW Hosts Agribusiness Seminar to Inspire Student Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
The Department of Agricultural Science Education of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has organised an industry engagement seminar aimed at equipping final-year students with practical entrepreneurial skills in agriculture and agribusiness.
The seminar, themed “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Financing the Kosmos Innovation Center Model,” brought together faculty, students and industry partners to explore opportunities in the agricultural value chain and inspire innovative business ideas. The event took place at the South Campus Assembly Hall on Friday, 15th August, 2025.
Dr. Isaac Kwasi Asante, a lecturer at the department, explained that the event was part of the Agricultural Food Systems course, which requires students to map commodity value chains and identify employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. He emphasised that while many graduates aspire to become teachers, the skills gained from such programmes could help them create jobs for themselves and others while awaiting teaching appointments.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Anthony Agee-Kum, Programme Officer of the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) for the Western Region, urged students to reimagine agriculture beyond traditional perceptions. “Over 90 percent of entrepreneurs we support at KIC have no formal agricultural background yet with just a few days of market research, they identify viable business opportunities that generate millions in revenue,” he said.
Mr. Agee-Kum encouraged students to build impact-driven businesses that address challenges such as food security, job creation and climate change.
Sharing his personal journey, Mr. Pious Cudjoe, CEO of Cudjoe Farms and a finalist in the KIC AgriTech Challenge, recounted how his team transformed discarded cocoa pod husks into shampoo and shower gels. He highlighted the rigorous training, market research and financial discipline that the KIC model instills in young entrepreneurs, stressing that accountability and teamwork are essential for success.
The interactive session also featured group pitching presentations by final-year students who showcased innovative agribusiness ideas ranging from maize oil processing to livestock feed production. The exercise gave students a platform to receive feedback from industry experts and sharpen their business models.
The session concluded with a call for students to view agriculture as a path to self-employment and national development. Facilitators reminded participants that discipline, innovation and social impact are the hallmarks of successful entrepreneurship.
The seminar reiterated UEW’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry while empowering graduates to drive agricultural transformation in Ghana.
