Kumasi - The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is reinforcing its commitment to enhance agricultural productivity, rural development, and the sustainable management of natural resources. This commitment is rooted in the college's focus on teaching, research, and extending knowledge through training.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Ben Branoh Banful, the Provost of the College, emphasized the institution's dedication to advancing entrepreneurial schemes and knowledge. He mentioned that this is achieved through the periodic review of curricula to align them more closely with entrepreneurship and industry needs. Professor Banful shared these insights while speaking at the first session of the 57th KNUST congregation ceremony for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Kumasi.
The congregation witnessed the presentation of 1,104 graduates, among whom 111 earned first-class honors, 609 secured second-class upper division, 370 achieved second-class lower division, and 14 attained pass grades.
Prof. Banful highlighted the significant strides made in the area of research. He noted that faculty members had secured a £2.1 million grant from the European Union for a project focused on research for development and innovation in agriculture and learning. Additionally, the College won a grant from DANIDA for a climate-smart cocoa agroforestry project in Ghana and another for a project on soil conservation and regenerative practices aimed at enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) research team also received over $2.1 million from various donors for contract research in their mandated areas. The provost emphasized the College's ongoing efforts to build new partnerships and collaborations with industry. He cited the collaboration with the Kumasi Recycling Plant, which has led to the development of a proposal for effective waste management, compost improvement, quality assurance, and segregation for the agricultural industry. This proposal is soon to be submitted to the Jospong Group of companies for funding and implementation.
Abbraham Sarfo, an Agribusiness Analyst, encouraged the graduates to view agricultural studies as a lucrative field and to embrace it for national development. He pointed out the numerous opportunities in agriculture, including climate change adaptation, precision agriculture, smart agri-production, and processing, which remain largely unexplored.