Francis Ato Brown advocates youth-led agriculture

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

Retired development professional, Francis Ato Brown, has intensified calls for young people to embrace agriculture as a viable and sustainable livelihood, urging government to implement deliberate policies that make the sector more attractive and profitable for the youth.

Brown, who spent most of his career working with the World Bank before returning to Ghana in December 2019, is currently championing agriculture-driven development through a large-scale farming enterprise in Aseseeso in the Okere District of the Eastern Region.

According to him, agriculture remains one of the most underutilised opportunities for job creation, particularly for young people, despite its vast potential.

“Young people must begin to see agriculture as a serious business. It is not just about manual labour; it is about innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship,” he stated.

Large-Scale Farming as a Model

Brown operates a farm spanning over 100 acres, with about 80 acres under active cultivation. The farm is dominated by mango production, covering between 60 and 80 acres, alongside other crops such as passion fruit, coconuts, avocados, bananas, papaya, and dragon fruit.

He explained that the farm is deliberately structured not only as a commercial venture but also as a demonstration hub to inspire and train other farmers, especially the youth, in modern agricultural practices.

The facility regularly hosts farmers through collaboration with the Okere District Agriculture Office, offering practical training in irrigation, crop management, and sustainable farming systems.

Youth Engagement Through Innovation

Brown stressed that attracting young people to agriculture requires a shift towards innovation and technology. To this end, he has integrated agricultural training with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Through a STEM and robotics centre established in a local junior high school, students are introduced to the application of technology in agriculture, including school farming projects.

He noted that students have participated in agricultural competitions, cultivating crops such as cabbage and garden eggs, and are preparing to venture into irrigated farming.

“This is how we build interest—by exposing young people to modern, technology-driven agriculture early,” he said.

Call for Policy Direction

The astute entrepreneur emphasised that while individual efforts are important, meaningful transformation in the agricultural sector will require strong and consistent government policy support.

He called for targeted interventions to make agriculture more appealing to the youth, including access to land, financing, mechanisation, and market opportunities.

“We need policies that reduce the barriers young people face when entering agriculture. Without that, it will be difficult to scale up youth participation,” he noted.

He also highlighted the importance of extension services and training, noting that his farm is already contributing as a centre of excellence within the district, but broader institutional support is needed.

Diversification and Sustainability

As part of efforts to strengthen the viability of agriculture, Brown is expanding into vegetable farming, horticulture, herbs, and spices to create multiple revenue streams.

He explained that diversification is critical to managing risks and ensuring consistent income for farmers.

Linking Agriculture to Community Development

Beyond farming, Brown’s initiatives are contributing to community development, including educational support through a STEM centre and infrastructure improvements.

However, he maintains that agriculture remains central to his vision of transforming the local economy and addressing youth unemployment.

He also pointed to broader social challenges such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and mental health issues, stressing that engaging young people in productive ventures like agriculture can help mitigate these problems.

A Call to Action

Brown urged young people in the Okere District and across the country to take advantage of opportunities within the agricultural value chain, from production to processing and marketing.

“Agriculture has the potential to change lives, but we must approach it with the right mindset, skills, and support systems,” he said.

He further called on government, private sector players, and development partners to work together to create an enabling environment that will empower the next generation of farmers and agripreneurs.