Back in April 2024, we set out on what seemed a modest idea: to start a small vegetable farm near our head office in Ghana. The goal was practical: to trial our own agricultural products and ensure they were truly the best on the market. But what followed was a 12-month journey that tested our patience, drained our energy, and ultimately taught us more about farming, business, and resilience than we could have imagined.
The first few months were deceptively glorious. Our inaugural tomato harvest was bountiful, ripe, firm, and flavourful, the kind of yield that made us think, “This is easy.” We couldn’t believe our luck. But like many things in life, sometimes the first attempt is the best, and from there, you spend a whole lot of time trying to replicate the magic. After that glorious start, we suffered five failed tomato cycles in a row.
Meanwhile, our early attempts at growing bell peppers were dismal. Three entire crop cycles failed to bear anything worthwhile. And then, as if the land had simply needed time to warm to us, the fourth attempt brought an unexpected miracle: the peppers came in abundance, almost endless in their supply.
Farming, as we quickly learnt, is a game of variables. In the span of a year, we lost crops to just about everything: too much water, too little water, too much sun, too much shade. Nematodes, whiteflies, birds, thrips, mildew. You name it, we fought it.
But through every setback, we grew a deeper understanding of our land, the seasons, and what thrives when. Ghana’s rainy season, we learnt, favours tomatoes and cucumbers. The dry season, meanwhile, is ideal for bell peppers and aubergines. Lettuce, we discovered, does best under shade nets. Slowly, we began to paint a clearer picture of how to utilise our farm to maximise yield all year round.
Unexpectedly, our bumpy start bore fruit in other ways. From tackling so many challenges, we expanded our product portfolio, launching Omex Vigga, a nematode-fighting wonder product; BM270, a fast-maturing maize variety from Brazil; and the Arwad Chilli Peppers from Bakker Brothers (a thing of beauty).
Of course, growing the produce was only half the story. Selling it brought its own mountain of challenges. But thanks to the tireless work of our team, led by the remarkable Worla, we broke into some of Ghana’s biggest retailers: Melcom, ShopRite, Palace, and Fairway supermarkets. Our vegetables are now served in top hotels such as Lancaster and Labadi Beach, and even onboard flights out of Accra via Servair, the airport’s main catering provider.
So, after a year of navigating the often-unforgiving world of Ghanaian agriculture, what are our three biggest lessons?
1. Speak to local farmers.
The agronomist might have a degree, but the farmer next door has a lifetime of practical experience. Their insights on soil, seasons, and pests are worth more than any textbook.
2. Secure your market before you plant.
There’s nothing more disheartening than watching high-quality produce rot because there’s no buyer. In fact, if you grow excellent veg in Ghana, call us. We’ll buy it.
3. Have a financial buffer.
Farming is unpredictable. A sudden thrip infestation or a broken irrigation pump can ruin a season if not addressed quickly. Without enough capital, these issues become disasters.
Twelve months in, one truth stands tall: farming in Ghana is not for the faint-hearted. But with a little grit, a lot of learning, and the right team behind you, it’s one of the most rewarding ventures imaginable.
