The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GIDA VE TARIM University in Turkey, opening doors for Ghanaian students to pursue academic and professional training in agriculture under a new scholarship arrangement.

The agreement, signed during the Minister’s two-day working visit to Turkey, is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in agricultural education, research and innovation.

Under the MoU, the university—renowned for its specialisation in agricultural sciences—will offer scholarships to Ghanaian students to study various agriculture-related programmes, including agronomy, agribusiness, food technology and sustainable farming systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Opoku described the partnership as a strategic step toward building the technical capacity of Ghana’s agricultural workforce.

He noted that developing human capital remains central to the government’s broader agenda of modernising agriculture, promoting value addition and improving productivity across the sector.

“This partnership will equip our young people with the knowledge, technology and practical skills needed to transform Ghana’s agriculture and make it more competitive,” the Minister said.

Officials of GIDA VE TARIM University expressed their commitment to deepening collaboration with Ghana through student exchange programmes, joint research initiatives and faculty partnerships.

They indicated that the scholarship package would cover selected academic programmes designed to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural industry.

The MoU is expected to enhance knowledge transfer, strengthen institutional linkages and create long-term opportunities for Ghanaian students seeking specialised training abroad.

It also forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to secure international partnerships that support agricultural transformation and job creation.