Women-led agricultural enterprise Mariseth Farms secures over $1 million to enhance the livelihood of Ghana's small-scale farmers.
Mariseth Farms Secures Major Investment to Boost Agribusiness in Ghana
Mariseth Farms, a leading agribusiness based in Ghana, has secured over $1 million in funding, marking a significant milestone in its mission to empower smallholder farmers and drive sustainable agriculture growth in the country.
Founded in 2016, Mariseth Farms specialises in growing and processing key crops such as oil palm, soy, and maize. The company also sources produce from a national supplier network, working with over 9,255 farmers across the country.
The investment, which comes from RDF Ghana, Sahel Capital, and ABSA Bank, will primarily facilitate working capital needs to support Mariseth Farms' growth ambitions. The strategic plan focuses on expanding operational capacity by aggregating crops from smallholder farmers across multiple regions of Ghana and supplying these to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies within the country.
Marian Ofori Twumasi, CEO of Mariseth Farms, stated that the investment is proof that women are driving agribusiness growth in Ghana. "We are excited about this investment as it will allow us to strengthen our role as a key agribusiness aggregator in Ghana, enhancing supply reliability and market access for small-scale farmers while meeting demand from commercial buyers," she said.
The funding will enable the recruitment of more extension officers to support the company's growth and the expansion of in-house crop production. It will also support the growth of the smallholder supplier network and the establishment of new offtaker and export partnerships.
John Scicchitano, Partner at Pangea Africa, has been named Board Chair as of January 2025. Gena Perry, Exec. Director of WISHH, has also joined the board.
Yaw Oppong, CEO of RDF Ghana, expressed that investing in Mariseth is key to improving rural livelihoods and driving sustainable ag development. "We are proud to support Mariseth Farms as they continue to make a positive impact on Ghana's agricultural sector and rural communities," he said.
The funding supports scaling sustainable agriculture in Ghana's rural communities, with eighty percent of the youth employees at Mariseth Farms being women. Half of the employees are women, and the company aims to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.
Mariseth Farms' strategic focus on operational expansion and market integration rather than entry into new sectors or geographic diversification at this stage is indicative of a commitment to sustainable growth and impact. With this investment, Mariseth Farms is poised to make a significant contribution to Ghana's agribusiness sector and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the country.
- Mariseth Farms, in addition to agribusiness, shows a strong focus on sports as well, with eighty percent of their youth employees being women, indicating a dedication to empowering the next generation of female athletes.
- The strategic plan of Mariseth Farms includes supplying crops sourced from smallholder farmers across Ghana to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies within the country, providing a platform for smallholder farmers to excel in sports through increased economic opportunities.
