Opportunities in agriculture are enormous – Young entrepreneur tells fellow youth

Bernice Agboada, a young entrepreneur, shares her inspiring story about the vast opportunities in agriculture for Africa's youth. After completing school, Bernice found herself unsure about her future, like many of her peers. However, she discovered that agriculture could offer a promising path forward. Encouraged by her colleagues, she explored the sector and joined the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, funded by Mastercard and AGRA.

Through training and mentorship provided by YEFFA, Bernice gained essential technical and entrepreneurial skills that helped her establish Mushroom General. The business focuses on growing, packaging, and selling mushrooms, creating jobs for herself and other young people. Today, three youth are employed in her enterprise, and she is planning to expand.

Bernice believes agriculture holds immense potential for young people, as food is a universal need. Her experience as a person living with albinism further motivates her to encourage others, including those with disabilities, to pursue entrepreneurship. Mushroom General's commitment to sustainable practices and innovative products reflects her vision of a healthier and more sustainable future.

Bernice's journey has transformed her perspective, realizing that her small mushroom business has significant potential. She envisions expanding into value-added processing, including producing mushroom-based snacks, powder, and other packaged products for domestic and regional markets. Sach Avudzi, Programs and Safeguarding Officer at AGRA Ghana, emphasizes the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector to foster growth and development in Africa.