The University for Development Studies (UDS) has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural transformation by showcasing a range of innovative technologies and practical solutions at the AgroTech Fair 2026, held at the Independence Square in Accra.

The fair, which brought together key actors in agriculture, technology, industry, policy and investment, provided a major platform for institutions and innovators to demonstrate solutions aimed at modernising Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The event was officially opened by the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, who underscored the importance of innovation and technology in repositioning agriculture as a major driver of economic growth, job creation and national prosperity.

Addressing participants at the grand durbar, President Mahama said agricultural fairs such as AgroTech must be seen not merely as exhibitions of machines and equipment, but as strategic platforms for connecting research, enterprise and investment.

“Events like this do more than just showcase machinery and technology; they connect ideas to enterprise, research to industry, and innovation to investment. In doing so, they help to transform agriculture from a sector of survival to a sector of opportunity, productivity, and national prosperity,” he stated.

The UDS delegation, led by Prof. Gustav Mahunu, used the occasion to highlight the University’s growing contributions to agricultural research, engineering, innovation and technology transfer, particularly in support of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana’s northern ecological zones.

Prof. Mahunu called on farmers in the Savanna Ecological Zone to take full advantage of the proposed Farmers’ Service Centres, following President Mahama’s announcement of the sod-cutting for the first centre at Afram Plains on Friday, March 17.

The initiative is expected to lead to the establishment of 50 Farmers’ Service Centres across the country, with the first phase covering 11 centres in major agricultural production areas. The centres are expected to improve farmers’ access to modern equipment, technical services and productivity-enhancing support.

Organised by the Ghana EXIM Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the AgroTech Fair 2026 sought to promote locally manufactured agricultural machinery, agro-processing equipment and emerging technologies capable of transforming Ghana’s agricultural value chain.

UDS’ participation at the fair highlighted the University’s practical approach to research and innovation, especially its commitment to developing solutions that respond directly to the needs of farmers, industry players and national development priorities.

Story by Ibrahim Abubakari
(UDS Media)