The two main objectives of the project include:

1. Developing and improving local market and distribution channels
2. Improving the production capacity of Farmstead

1. Developing and improving local market and distribution channels
   • Sign B2B agreements with 5 Off-takers (e.g. Burger King)
   • Procure cold storage, distribution van, and a mini truck
   • Obtain Ghana Green Label certification for Farmstead’s produce
   • Mount a weekly farmers’ market in the Akuapem mountains to attract health-conscious clients who regularly exercise on the mountains, to patronize Farmstead’s fruits & vegetable produce
   • Develop an app to manage the distribution system of produce to clients
   • Supply on a weekly basis, 1.5 tons of fruits and vegetables to households, hotels and restaurants, reaching a total of 160 tons by end of the implementation phase, generating a sales value of EUR 237,000
   • Conduct one-to-one promotional visits and campaigns to build a reputation for high quality produce, relying on the Green Label Certification, at reasonable prices among clients (1,000 households targeted; 10 salespersons visiting 20 households per day for 5 days each; Also 2 salespersons visiting 2 hotels per day for 5 days each).
   • Obtain prices of produces in the major market on a weekly basis for comparison and pricing purposes as well
2. Improving the production capacity of Farmstead
   • Employ a trained agricultural expert; a graduate from the Agricultural Training School in Dahwenya in order to implement best practices and provide assurance of good yields of high-quality produce
   • Increase staff strength from 2 to 12 permanent staff and from 4 to 8 casual workers
   • Purchase assorted production tools such as thermometers, EC, pH meters etc.
   • Procure high-yielding seeds from recognized seed companies such as Profyta and Rijk Zwaan of the Netherlands, and East-West of Thailand
   • Build and install Green and Hoop Houses with drip irrigation and fertigation systems to take of the production particularly climate, and nutrient-sensitive plants. Drip irrigation systems will be used for the open-field plants as well
   • Cultivate scarce and exotic vegetable and herbs, at prices benchmarked to those of the open markets, for example Agbogbloshie Market
   • Crops to cultivate include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuces, kale, egg plants, cherry and beef tomatoes, hot and bell peppers; all with minimal use of pesticides and weedicides, and the use of organic chemicals, in accordance with Green Label guidelines

The project will produce the following key deliverables at the end of the implementation period:

• Three hoop houses (60 x 12 m each) and three greenhouses (60 x 12 m each), fully equipped with drip irrigation and fertigation systems, constructed and put under the production of fruits & vegetables
• About 6,000m² of open field cultivation operational
• Ghana green label certification obtained for Farmstead
• At least 5 off-taker agreements signed for the supply of produce
• At least 12 permanent workers and 8 casual workers employed / engaged
• A total of 160 tons of fruits & vegetables produced and sold to households, restaurants and hotels,
• Farmstead produce directly promoted in 1,000 households and 20 hotels (including eateries and restaurants)
• Total sales value of EUR 237,000 generated from marketing activities
• A farmer’s market operational on the Akuapem Mountains and selling produce under the Mercado brand

A Mercado app for produce marketing and distribution operational