Young women trained in practical agric skills
The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) has launched a capacity-building programme to equip young ladies with practical skills in agricultural technologies.
The training which was on the theme: “Renewable energy integration into agritech design for climate-smart solutions,” focused on integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and biogas into agri-tech designs to develop climate-smart solutions.
The initiative was to address the limited participation of women in the technical design aspects of agricultural innovations.
It included a call to empower women to develop solutions that promote sustainable agriculture and clean energy integration.
The training brought together participants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, which included students from universities and technical institutions, entrepreneurs already engaged in agribusiness, and individuals with artistic and design skills.
Significance
The Project Coordinator, Dr Ferdinand Tornyie, said the programme addressed a critical skills gap in the agricultural sector.
He stated that, although many women were actively involved in farming and agribusiness, very few participated in the core technical design of agri-tech innovations.
“This training seeks to change that narrative by equipping young women not just to use technologies but to design and adapt them to meet the unique challenges faced in their communities,” the coordinator added.
Dr Tornyie said that as Africa faces increasing threats from climate change, sustainable agricultural practices were no longer optional but vital.
He also said that integrating renewable energy solutions into agricultural technologies would boost productivity and assist the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Technologies like solar-powered irrigation, biogas systems for processing and wind-powered storage facilities can transform rural agriculture, improve food security and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources,” he said.
Broader goals
Dr Tornyie further said that the training was to promote inclusivity in the green innovation space.
“Women make up about 50 per cent of the agricultural labour force, yet they are underrepresented in technical innovation and design.
By empowering them with these skills, we are not only closing gender gaps but also ensuring that solutions developed reflect the needs of those who form the backbone of agricultural production,” he said.
Dr Tornyie explained that the initiative was part of a larger regional project implemented in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire under the UNU-INRA innovation for clean and routed technologies programme, supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
He said the project sought to build a new generation of innovators capable of designing renewable energy-based agricultural technologies tailored to Africa’s needs.
“By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to design and assemble basic renewable energy systems for agricultural use.
They must also leave with ideas for projects that can address specific challenges in their communities,” Dr Tornyie said
