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Roots of Resilience: Okata Farms Flourish in Innovation for Sustainable Growth with UNIDO’s Support
In the Oti region of Ghana, Okata Farms stands as a testament to determination and innovation.
Mabel Akoto Kwudzo, a psychologist-turned-farmer, defied expectations by turning cassava roots into a source of empowerment for women.
Okata Farms began as an N.G.O. named Practical Emergency Aid Services, which helped the vulnerable establish small farms and assisted people living with HIV/AIDS in the Volta Region from 1999 to 2005.
In 2005, the NGO initiated a farm to support rural women who lacked access to land and changed its name to Okata Farms. It then transitioned into a sole proprietorship until 2017 when it became a limited liability company.
The name 'Okata' is derived from a stream that runs through the farm in Likpe Agbosome in the Oti region, a special stream that never dries up.
The journey was anything but smooth. The hardworking farmers toiling the land lacked crucial knowledge of effective agronomic practices, exacerbating the already challenging task of cultivating cassava. Mabel understood that education was the vital key to unlocking their potential.
As they moved to the next stage of the supply chain — the processing phase — Okata Farms encountered daunting challenges. The absence of proper processing techniques jeopardized the quality and safety of their cassava products, leading to issues such as microbial contamination, product spoilage, and a shorter shelf life
Furthermore, the absence of adequate infrastructure posed a significant hurdle. Semi-processors and out-grower farmers faced an uphill battle due to the lack of proper facilities, hindering their ability to meet market demand, expand their operations, and adhere to quality standards. This directly impacted Okata Farms, resulting in disrupted production schedules, compromised product quality, increased costs, and revenue losses.
Nevertheless, a ray of hope emerged from the European Union-financed West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) Support.
"With the support of WACOMP–Ghana, we now work with over 3,000 women out-growers, covering 30 communities in the Oti region. All these women groups have been trained in environmental awareness and have been taught how to use graters, pressers, dryers, hammer mills and good packaging. Through WACOMP – Ghana's support we have done a lot in terms of Good Agriculture Practices and food safety measures. This has enhanced the quality of our cassava products and made us reach the local and international markets.
The project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) proved to be a lifeline for Okata Farms and its outgrowers, providing much-needed assistance.
Here's how it transformed their fortunes:
- Improved Cassava Varieties: Through the WACOMP project, comprehensive baseline surveys were conducted to identify the specific challenges faced by Okata Farms and its out-growers. Armed with invaluable data, the project introduced two innovative cassava varieties: sika bankye and bankyehemaa. These exceptional varieties were not your average roots; They offered significantly shorter maturation periods and substantially higher yields compared to traditional cassava varieties. As a result, the once prevalent issues of lengthy growth cycles and low productivity became a thing of the past for Okata Farms and its outgrowers.
- Training in Good Agronomic Practices: Extensive training sessions became the heartbeat of change. Farmers gathered under the shade of cassava leaves, eager to learn. They absorbed wisdom on land preparation, planting methods, pest management, and harvesting practices. The project also supported the utilization of mobile training vans to reach farmers in remote communities, ensuring the widespread adoption of good agronomic practices.
- Establishment of Demonstration Farms: Practical learning opportunities sprouted across 7 communities in the Oti region. UNIDO’s Demonstration farms became model plots where farmers observed and learned best practices firsthand.
- Training and Capacity Building for Processors: Semi-processors gained new skills from UNIDO. They learned good processing practices, product development, packaging, and waste management. The sessions helped quality soared, post-harvest losses dwindled, and market competitiveness bloomed among the Okata cassava cluster.
- Establishment of Mini-Processing Centers: These mini-centres were equipped with graters, pressers, and hummer dryers to transform the Cassava into gari, dough, flour, cassava chips, and more making Okata Farms thrive.
Mabel Akoto Kwudzo, CEO of Okata Farms
UNIDO’s Impact on Gender Equality:
The project went beyond just economic gains; it also promoted gender equality. Female participation increased significantly from 25% to an impressive 48%.
Women, especially those involved in processing activities, benefited greatly. The improved yields and access to markets empowered them, leading to better economic prospects and social inclusion.
Okata Farms also expanded its female workforce, hiring four more women directly and experiencing a 30% increase in female casual workers.
Additionally, UNIDO provided support to the farm by installing five modern processing centres. These centres were equipped with cutting-edge machinery, which revolutionized cassava processing. The machinery included peelers, graters, pressers, and hammer dryers.
The impact of these changes was truly remarkable. The semi-processors within the Okata Farms Cluster experienced a substantial increase in their operations, resulting in a significant surge in their capacity. Previously, their weekly production was limited to just 200kg of gari and fermented cassava dough. However, this has now escalated to an impressive output of 5 tons of gari, 3 tons of cassava dough, and 1 ton of starch.
Additionally, they have diversified their product range by introducing new cassava-based offerings such as tapioca and fermented cassava dough flour, which has opened up exciting opportunities in fresh markets.
“The project has helped us achieve remarkable successes, significantly transforming the cassava value chain and empowering our local communities. One of the key accomplishments of UNIDO WACOMP intervention is the substantial increase in both farmer and processor participation. Starting with 800 farmers and 100 processors, the project helped us to witness a remarkable expansion, with the number of farmers increasing to 1,000 and processors to 350 in my own cluster and further impacting over 3000 that are in the Oti Region. This surge in participation reflects the effectiveness of the project's interventions in mobilizing and engaging stakeholders across the value chain,
Okata Farms Cassava Cluster members under going various training with UNIDO
And the numbers spoke louder than words. Okata Farms’ output surged from 40% to a remarkable 90%. Recognition followed suit. The Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) welcomed them into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) directory. Even the University of Ghana expressed interest in using Okata Farms for practical agricultural training.
"There is nothing a woman cannot achieve with determination. All you have to do is believe in your capabilities. UNIDO brought significant improvements in the income and productivity of my women farmers, especially. Each of them now receives GHS 1,000 instead of the GHS 400 per acre they used to receive. The average agricultural yield has more than doubled, rising from 20 tons to an impressive 50 tons per acre. We have become a model, and the University of Ghana has requested to use our farms for their agriculture practicals," she said, explaining the extent of the results of UNIDO’s support.
UNIDO continuously supports other farmers like Mabel to deliver tangible results for the growth, empowerment, and sustainability of livelihoods in rural communities.
