DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MECHANIZATION
Most developing countries and, indeed, African countries have an economy strongly dominated by the agriculture sector. Agriculture generates up to 50 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), contributing more than 80 percent of trade in value and more than 50 percent of raw materials to industries. It provides employment for the majority of Africa’s people. Despite this domination and the fact that agriculture is backed with good policy documents and statements, investment in the sector is still grossly underdeveloped in most African countries. Furthermore, 30 to 40 percent of agricultural produce is lost owing to poor post-harvest handling, storage and processing methods.
Therefore, there is high potential for lateral expansion of the agriculture sector at all levels. The low level of engineering technology inputs in agriculture has been cited as one of the main constraints hindering the modernization of agriculture and food production systems in Africa
This programme provides students with education and training to work within the area of Agricultural Technology. The focus of this programme is firmly on the provision of skilled technicians for the farm machinery industry in Ghana.
Agriculture Mechanisation as an engineering subject has great relevance and provides valuable insights for students who are interested in understanding land usage, animal crop production and maintenance issues in society. Agriculture Mechanisation has gained importance in wealth creation and job generation in this changing world. It provides a foundation for students in their quest to know hands-on skills based on Competence Based Training (CBT) models in both workplace and research.
The goal of the programme is to provide students with the necessary hands-on skills and training through practical and workplace experience and internships to help them improve their skills in analyzing and finding solutions to technical and vocational issues and problems.
The programme is suited to those with an interest in understanding and learning about agricultural machinery. The programme has a good balance of theory and practical and is suited to those people who prefer “hands on” work and who want to be able to maintain and operate farm machinery.