Three-day agritech workshop empowers women with renewable energy skills

The United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), through its Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT) initiative, has commenced a 3-day special training workshop for young women in Agricultural Technologies (AgriTech) in Ghana.

A total of 35 women from across the country are taking part in the fully sponsored workshop, which is being held at the International Programmes Office at the University of Ghana, Legon.

The training is designed to build the technical and business skills of young women working or interested in agritech- while helping them use clean energy, like solar power, to improve agriculture in ways that support the environment.

It aims to give them the tools they need to become leaders and innovators in agriculture and clean energy.

It forms part of the INFoCAT project, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under its “Clean Energy for Development: A Call for Action” initiative.

The main goal is to promote sustainable agriculture through renewable energy technologies and ensure more women are involved in designing and building these solutions- not just marketing or managing them.

The workshop’s theme “Renewable Energy Integration into Agritech Design for Climate-Smart Solutions”, reflects the need to combine energy and farming innovations to face challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and rural poverty.

Dr. Ferdinand Tornyie, the INFoCAT Project Coordinator,  speaking  at the opening ceremony on July 28, 2025, said the workshop was not just a training session but a bold step toward an inclusive and green future for agriculture.

“This workshop was not just about theory. It includes real, hands-on training that gives participants the practical experience they need to apply what they learn immediately. They will be taught by experts using case studies, design clinics, and group reflection sessions,” he added.

He noted that agriculture today faces serious challenges due to climate change, but it also presents great opportunities.  “The increasing need for food security, environmental preservation, and energy efficiency calls for nothing short of bold innovation and inclusive action,” Dr. Tornyie said.

He furthermore said women play a central role in farming across Africa, forming about half of the agricultural workforce, especially in rural areas, but said- many of them are still excluded from technical training and engineering roles.

“Women understand women’s challenges- so when they build the solution, it truly works,” he added.

Dr. Tornyie described the participants as more than just learners. He called them future innovators who will design and build clean energy-powered farming tools that will serve both people and the planet.

Moreover, he highlighted UNU-INRA’s role in this transformation, noting that- the institute has long supported research and training to promote sustainable use of the continent’s natural resources. According to him, in recent years, it has focused more on supporting young people and women, especially in areas like green business, clean energy, and policy-based training.

He said the workshop came about because the Institute identified a major gap in the agritech space.

“While many women are involved in the business side of agriculture, very few are found in the technical areas like system design and engineering. Bridging this knowledge and skills gap is critical for creating a more equitable, climate-smart agrifood system,” he said.

Dr. Tornyie also stressed how important renewable energy is for the country’s farming future. He said using solar, wind, and biogas energy in farming helps reduce carbon emissions, increases productivity, and helps bring power to rural areas.

He thanked UNU-INRA for its continued work in promoting sustainability and education in Africa.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have hands-on skills in solar system installation, climate-smart agritech design, and energy-efficient farming solutions.