Led by its visionary CEO Marian Ofori Twumasi Mariseth Farms, a leading agribusiness in, Ghana, has successfully secured a transformative $560,000 working capital loan from Sahel Capital, through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA). This significant investment is poised to dramatically scale Mariseth Farms’ production and aggregation of soybean in Tumu in the Upper West Region, ensuring broader and fairer market access while profoundly enhancing the livelihoods of over 8,000 smallholder farmers across in the town, a majority of whom are women.
Soybean is increasingly recognized as a crucial cash crop particularly among smallholder farmers in the northern regions accounting for approximately 90% of Ghana’s soybean output. The economic relevance of soybean extends beyond direct consumption, with Ghana exporting $61.3 million worth of soybeans in 2023. Despite Ghana’s potential to produce 700,000 metric tons of soybeans annually, current production figures hover around 250,000 to 350,000 metric tons (as of 2022-2024 estimates), realising only about 26% of its potential.
A proud participant in the inaugural cohort of the Green Business Competitions for MSMEs incubation program, funded by @GIZ and executed by @Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, Mariseth prides itself on a diverse range of high-quality produce, including oil palm, cocoa, millet, soybeans, livestock, and more. Their steadfast dedication to producing the finest agricultural goods has positioned the business for significant expansion, notably bolstered by the recent $560,000 working capital loan secured, which will enable Mariseth Farms to further scale its production, enhance quality control, and expand its reach across its diverse offerings.
The Journey to Investor Readiness
Marian Ofori Twumasi first founded Mariseth Farms with a vision but as a trained accountant in Ghana, where farming is often relegated to “side hustle” status, Marian faced a paradox: her corporate salary dwarfed her farm’s earnings, yet her passion for agriculture burned brighter. One question haunted her: how to turn soil and sweat into sustainable wealth.
The answer demanded courage and so in 2012, Marian traded spreadsheets for seedlings, resigning from her stable job to commit fully to Mariseth Farms. Freed from divided attention, she optimized production, embraced agri-tech, and built partnerships that multiplied yields within 13 years. Today, her is proof that agriculture can rival traditional careers.
Marian’s accounting background also proved to be Mariseth Farms’ secret weapon, fundamentally setting it apart in Ghana’s agribusiness landscape. While many relied on intuition, Marian understood that investors and partners demanded verifiable financial data. She observed a critical gap where farmers meticulously tracked crop cycles but neglected essential financial records. The rigorous principles from her corporate career, meticulous bookkeeping, detailed cash flow analysis, and auditable financial trails became her competitive edge. This transparency cultivated trust, with her strong balance sheets attracting vital partners.
In the Green Business Competitions Incubation Programme, Mariseth Farms received comprehensive, tailored support that proved instrumental in its growth. Marian was paired with a dedicated portfolio manager who expertly guided her in developing a crucial 5-year rolling growth plan, providing a clear roadmap for the business’s future. Beyond strategic planning, she also received vital assistance in ensuring her financial records were impeccable, a foundational element for attracting investment. The programme further equipped Mariseth through a series of impactful masterclasses, covering essential topics like Investor Readiness & Pitching, Taxation and Insurance, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). A particularly valuable component was the Women’s Entrepreneurship Transformation Programme, which provided targeted, gender-related support designed to empower female entrepreneurs like Marian, bolstering her leadership and business acumen.
Marian’s big break came when Pangea Global Ventures recognized her vision during an industry event whilst delivering a pitch for oil palm processing equipment in Bibiani. This led to a that ultimately connected her with Sahel Capital’s transformative investment. Marian emphasizes that passion alone isn’t enough; it requires persistence, focus, and a strong will. Her unwavering commitment to proper books and future planning, including proactive audits and opening a business bank account, made Mariseth Farms investor ready. This diligence ultimately confirmed Mariseth Farms as a professionally run enterprise, appealing directly to investors.
Scaling Impact for Mariseth Farms and Smallholders
This working capital loan coupled with crucial technical assistance will unlock a myriad of opportunities for Mariseth Farms and the smallholder farmers it serves. For Mariseth Farms, the financing provides the liquidity necessary to increase procurement volumes. Beyond direct funding, the technical assistance component will support critical business needs previously self-funded, such as navigating regulatory compliance, establishing IT systems, and crucially, funding essential training for small rural farmers on climate-smart agriculture and the use of smart seeds. This strategic financial injection is also opening additional financial doors for Mariseth Farms, attracting interest from other financers and directly leading to new market links. For the over 8000 smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are intrinsically linked to Mariseth, the loan translates into expanded fair market access, more favorable terms, improved access to financing through the input credit program and boosted liquidity. Ultimately, this comprehensive support will lead to enhanced productivity and increased disposable earnings, demonstrating the profound ripple effect of targeted investment in sustainable agribusiness.
Key Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Marian’s recommendation is to invest in the right expertise, advocating for hiring skilled professionals as they form the backbone of an investor-ready business. Marian also stresses the importance of maintaining unwavering focus on your core vision, resisting the urge to chase fleeting market trends. Lastly, she underscores the critical role of meticulous record-keeping and proper business planning. These essential tools demonstrate a business’s history and future projections, proving that a solid foundation is paramount to attracting necessary support.
Learn more about Mariseth’s journey on YouTube via this link: https://youtu.be/FCLOPA4gz3o or visit https://ghanacic.ashesi.edu.gh/giz-green-business-competitions/ for more information on the GIZ Green Business Competitions for MSMEs.