Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC) 2026: Participant Spotlight

The Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC) 2026, brought together an exceptional cohort of ambitious young professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in the horticulture sector for an immersive journey of learning, collaboration, and industry engagement designed to bridge academic knowledge with real-world business practice. Throughout the programme, participants engaged directly with organisations within the horticulture value chain, gaining first-hand insights into business operations, innovation, sustainability, trade, and organisational leadership. Through company visits, expert interactions, and practical case studies, they developed innovative solutions to real business challenges while expanding their professional networks.

In this special feature, we shine a spotlight on the participants who made the HBC Programme 2026 a remarkable experience. Get to know their backgrounds, career aspirations, and the opportunities they are seeking as they embark on the next chapter of their professional journeys. Before meeting the cohort, we also highlight the organisations they visited and the real-world business case studies that challenged them to apply their knowledge, collaborate effectively, and develop practical solutions to industry challenges.

TEAM HOLLAND GREENTECH

As part of the HBC Programme 2026, three participants — Gideon Akoto, Frederick Nii Annan Otu-Afro, and Ibrahim Arhin were assigned to Holland Green Tech Ghana (HGT), where they gained valuable industry exposure through hands-on engagement with the organisation, a leading provider of innovative horticultural solutions. HGT supports farmers across Ghana with high-quality seeds, greenhouse technology, irrigation systems, soil and water analysis, integrated pest management, and technical advisory services, helping to drive sustainable agricultural productivity.

During their placement, participants addressed a real business need within HGT’s Irrigation & Greenhouse Technical Division, focusing on improving post-installation monitoring of irrigation systems and developing a sustainable after-sales service model to enhance customer support and system performance. Working collaboratively, they developed a digital solution to monitor irrigation performance and designed a revenue-generating maintenance framework.

The team also contributed to the development of HGT’s website, working on both the front-end and back-end, while streamlining irrigation sales data to improve data management and operational efficiency.The project gave participants hands-on experience applying their technical skills to real business challenges, delivering solutions that support innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable growth in Ghana’s horticulture sector.

TEAM VERTE TOWER

Building on the experiential learning journey of the HBC Programme 2026, three participants — Dennise Selasi Fevlo, Dauda Mohammed Ali, and Bernard Asihene were assigned to Verte Tower (VT), a Ghana-based hydroponics startup developing low-cost vertical farming systems for households and commercial growers in urban and peri-urban areas.

The assignment focused on understanding VT’s business model through market research and supporting the design of a sales expansion strategy for its hydroponic modules. Participants also explored opportunities for scaling the company’s proposed communal vertical farming gardens and strengthening its market presence.

The team further engaged in field prospecting across restaurants, malls, real estate developments, municipal assemblies, and community spaces to identify partnership opportunities and drive adoption of VT’s hydroponic systems and fresh produce offerings.

TEAM HEALTH CAVE

The Health Cave team, consisting of Derrick Gaglo, Nana Akua Gyimah, and Josephine N. Gyebuaah, were assigned to Health Cave Limited (HC), a newly established natural juice brand promoting healthy nutrition while supporting local farmers within Ghana’s horticulture value chain.

The assignment focused on supporting HC’s efforts to build market visibility and establish a strong digital presence as an emerging brand with no prior market footprint. Participants contributed to the development of a phased digital marketing strategy aimed at increasing brand awareness, driving engagement, and converting interest into sales.

Through content creation and digital marketing initiatives, the team supported HC in shaping its brand identity, further strengthened through collaborations with organisations such as the Ampem Darkoa Foundation and outreach activities including donations at Ghanata Senior High School for BECE candidates.

TEAM HBP

The team consisting of Litela Adjoa Quanson, Richard Yennunam Laarison, and Kwame Frimpong were assigned to the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP), a membership-based initiative promoting sustainable horticultural development in Ghana.

In collaboration with GNBCC and Holland Greentech, HBP has established a commercial demonstration and training farm at West African Senior High School (WASS) in Adenta. The interns were tasked with addressing a key challenge thus developing market access and a functional sales framework for farm produce in the absence of an established buyer network.

The team focused on identifying off-takers, structuring sales pathways, minimising post-harvest losses, and supporting data collection for financial analysis and scalability. By weeks 4 and 5, they had begun building traceability systems, participated in transplanting activities, and engaged potential partners on logistics and procurement ahead of harvest.

The HBC 2026 cohort represents a new generation of skilled and ambitious professionals equipped with practical industry experience and a passion for driving innovation across Ghana’s agribusiness sector.

Through hands-on engagement with real business challenges, participants strengthened their technical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities while delivering meaningful solutions across the horticulture value chain.

As they take the next steps in their careers, GNBCC is proud to celebrate their achievements and looks forward to seeing them apply these experiences to drive innovation, sustainability, and growth within Ghana’s agribusiness ecosystem.