Frequently Asked Questions

AYA Challenge is an Agribusiness Entrepreneurship programme designed to inspire creation of wealth in the youth through new pathways of Agribusiness. The program identifies, develops and turns agribusiness models into profitable and sustainable jobs as start-ups with creation of financial support avenues.

Age

AYA Challenge participants should be between the ages of 18 and 35years with a very strong and convincing Agribusiness innovations and commitment, for the crops in focus.

Gender

AYA Challenge is for the youth (both male and female) within the required age above

Even though formal education plays an essential role in terms of this program, we are also aware of young people with lots of practical experience in local communities therefore, team members should be inclusive enough with basic formal certificate from a recognised institution. And must be fit for the challenge

The program is largely conducted in English so a fair comprehension and proficiency is important.

• Identification
• Residential Training
• Internships
• Access to Financial Streams through reality TV
• Exposure
• Networking
•  Mentoring and Monitoring

No. There is  residential field internship within respective regions of origin.

Note: It is important to check you are comfortable with this arrangement before you apply. Adaptability to new friends, food and environment is a mark of greatness in this program

This is the first stage where participants submit concept notes through application and successfully goes through interviews and final selection

At this stage participants are camped for two separate phases. Firstly, there is camping for entrepreneurship and Leadership training, value chains development for the focused crops, value addition, processing and marketing strategies for focused crops, food safety training, soil and water management as well as pests and disease management on the crops in focus. All training including field practical where necessary. Secondly, there is camping for the preparations and pitching for the reality innovations TV along the entire value chains of the crop in focus.

The program provides tailor made on farm and agribusiness experience for three (3) months where participants stay with their mentors (a national award winner best farmer) for on-the-job training and mentoring. This also include real time hands on practical farming by contestants

The Program provides a reality TV platform for each participating team to compete for a funding award where participants compete on innovations they are bringing to bear along the entire value chains (from production through to marketing and turn overs) on the particular crop in focus. This is strategic for participants to appeal to the general public and other private investors for fund raising towards the program

The program provides platform for participants to network among each other as well as mentors where they learn and share ideas on processes that work and others that do not as they interact at various stages of the program

AYA Challenge is currently distributed regionally according to the administrative regions of Ghana. Selection of final teams shall follow same to encourage regional agribusiness start-ups

Yes. AGRIVIMS and partner organisations are committing 90% of the total costs of the program as a way of encouraging more young people onto the program. This allows selected applicants to commit only 10% of the entire total cost.

1. Transportation for programme related purposes.
2. Full lodging (shared accommodation and meals during AYA Challenge residence)
3. Programme materials
4. Programme related costs, including training, field trips, mentorship, coaching.

Media platforms for competitive challenge on value chains innovations on the crops in focus among team members

1.  Participants’ transportation to AYA Challenge residence and back to Region of origin.
2. Participants’ transportation to AYA Challenge internship farms for three months farm experience in Regions of origin.
3. Personal expenses
4. Health Insurance
5. Relevant Electronic gadgets like IPads or Laptops

Yes. AYA Challenge provides a reality TV platform where teams will compete on innovations and values they will introduce into their agribusiness right from production, processing and packaging, marketing and financial management of their start-up. The winner shall receive an award of GHC 50,000.00 for their start-ups.

Yes. The program will assist teams in their regions to get land from recognised owners, chiefs, state lands or acquire lands in special cases for their agribusiness start-ups in their regions of origin.

However, all teams must initiate the process of soliciting for at least 2 acres of family lands even before coming onto the challenge. This is meant for each team’s initial practical works before AGRIVIMS’ support for land comes in.

Yes. AGRIVIMS, will support agribusiness start-ups to develop value oriented marketing strategies and links for local and international repute to market their produce.

Yes. Together with its partners, the program has an inbuilt three years extended incubation where start-ups across the regions are monitored and mentored to ensure good business ethics are consistently and strictly followed for the successful establishment of the agribusiness as a sustainable and viable business for the youth.