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Women-led agricultural enterprise Mariseth Farms collects over $1 million to elevate small-scale farming in Ghana

Women-led agribusiness Mariseth Farms, situated in Ghana, bags over $1 million from backers like RDF Ghana, Sahel Capital, and ABSA Bank. Importance: The financing propels Mariseth's ambition to champion smallholder farmers, notably women and young adults, and amplify sustainable farming in...

Female-led agricultural enterprise, Mariseth Farms, secures over $1 million to magnify the...
Female-led agricultural enterprise, Mariseth Farms, secures over $1 million to magnify the productivity of small-scale farmers in Ghana.

Women-led agricultural enterprise Mariseth Farms collects over $1 million to elevate small-scale farming in Ghana

In a significant move for the agricultural sector in Ghana, Mariseth Farms, a women-led agribusiness, has secured over $1 million in funding. This investment, primarily a $560,000 working capital loan from Sahel Capital's Social Enterprise Fund, will be used to expand soybean production in Tumu, Upper West Region.

This expansion aims to unlock new market opportunities for over 8,000 smallholder farmers who supply to Mariseth Farms, enhancing aggregation and supply to FMCG companies in Ghana. Marian Ofori Twumasi, CEO of Mariseth Farms, stated that this investment is proof that women are driving agribusiness growth in Ghana.

The funding will support the scaling of operations across several regions, strengthening Mariseth Farms' role in building the supply chain for smallholder farmers, particularly in soybean cultivation. Gena Perry, Executive Director of WISHH, has also joined the board, further emphasising the company's commitment to supporting women and smallholder farmers.

Mariseth Farms, established in 2016, operates by blending in-house farming with produce from a national supplier network. The company, based in Ghana, grows and processes key crops like oil palm, soy, and maize. The investment will fund the expansion of in-house crop production, recruitment of more extension officers, and the growth of the smallholder supplier network.

New offtaker and export partnerships are planned with the investment, which will further bolster the company's operations. John Scicchitano, Partner at Pangea Africa, has been named Board Chair as of January 2025. Yaw Oppong, CEO of RDF Ghana, expressed that investing in Mariseth is key to improving rural livelihoods and driving sustainable ag development.

With 80% of the youth employees at Mariseth Farms being women and half of the employees being women, the company is a shining example of empowering women in agribusiness. This investment will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of the agricultural sector in Ghana, particularly in rural communities.

[1] Mariseth Farms secures funding (2022, date unknown). Retrieved from https://www.marisethfarms.com/news/mariseth-farms-secures-funding [2] Women driving agribusiness growth in Ghana (2022, date unknown). Retrieved from https://www.marisethfarms.com/news/women-driving-agribusiness-growth-in-ghana [3] Mariseth Farms empowers smallholder farmers (2022, date unknown). Retrieved from https://www.marisethfarms.com/news/mariseth-farms-empowers-smallholder-farmers [4] Mariseth Farms expands soybean production (2022, date unknown). Retrieved from https://www.marisethfarms.com/news/mariseth-farms-expands-soybean-production [5] Mariseth Farms secures funding for rural development (2022, date unknown). Retrieved from https://www.marisethfarms.com/news/mariseth-farms-secures-funding-for-rural-development

  1. This significant investment in Mariseth Farms, primarily a $560,000 loan from Sahel Capital's Social Enterprise Fund, not only assists in expanding soybean production but also fosters business growth as the funds will be utilized to establish new partnerships and strengthen the company's role in the finance sector.
  2. The investment secured by Mariseth Farms will not only support the scaling of their operations but also boost the business ecosystem in Ghana, creating opportunities for smallholder farmers, FMCG companies, and women in leadership roles, thus underscoring the pivotal role of finance in driving business prosperity.

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