“The project will impact 300 farmers directly and by the end of 3 years, they should be earning profits from their vegetable production and marketing.”

In this venture, contract supply operation GSS aims to bring local farming communities into the profit streams generated by oil and mining activities in Ghana.  GSS has contracts to supply food to the employees of international extractive companies operating nationally. Working with their partner organisation, IDE-Ghana, GSS plans to build local capacity and source this food from low-income farmers living near mines and drilling areas.

By building farmers’ skills, providing them with agricultural inputs and linking them to markets, this inclusive business venture will build commercially viable supply chains that benefit around 300 low-income farmers living in the vicinity of mines and oil drilling installations.

The business model is based on leveraging the agricultural production skills of local farmers and giving them a business stake in local oil and mining operations. While GSS will be the primary customer for these farmers, vegetable production has proven to be a profitable activity in Ghana if farmers have the appropriate skills and access to markets, and there is high demand for fresh vegetables in other local markets.

The project will impact 300 farmers directly and by the end of 3 years, they should be earning profits from their vegetable production and marketing.

The commercial driver behind this project is to make GSS the leader in locally sourced food in Ghana and help it meet its commitment to the Government and its contractors, who have a goal to increase their locally purchased products and services while benefiting local communities.

IAP resources will go towards organising production groups of local farmers, providing training on vegetable production and pest management, helping farmers to develop business skills and organising marketing groups.