MASO is a five year programme, focused on creating employment opportunities for the youth (aged 18-25) in Ghana’s cocoa communities.
“Farming is the only career option for most youth in Ashrifikrom. So I also became a farmer growing cassava, maize and cocoa when I finished Junior Secondary School in 2011”, says Isaac Adeti.
But now the 23-year-old young man has added another income generating activity to his life. He sells agrochemicals to other farmers in Ashirifikrom and its surrounding communities.
Ashirifikrom is a small farming community of about 300 residents in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region. They grow mostly cassava, maize, vegetables, plantain and cocoa. For most of the farmers, their only opportunity to buy agrochemicals is to travel by motorbike to the weekly market day in New Edubiase. That has been the case in the community for many years. But this Isaac saw as an opportunity after he started attending the MASO Business Academy in New Edubiase.
Isaac Adeti with other youth at the MASO Business Academy
“Because I farm in the community, I know the challenges farmers go through to buy agrochemicals for their farms. During our training in the MASO Business Academy, I identified challenges in accessing agrochemicals as an opportunity around which I developed a business idea, said Isaac.
Isaac like his colleagues in the first cohort of the Business Academy received a grant of GHC 300 (about $67 dollars) and add an additional GHC 200 cedis ($44 dollars) from his savings to test his business plan. Isaac rented a shop at the village Lorry Station and started selling agro-chemicals in December 2016.
The location of the shop made it easy to attract customers. Farmers on their way to New Edubiase to buy agro-chemicals stopped at Isaac’s shop and bought from him. He started applying all the principles he studied in his entrepreneurial class in managing his business. Sales in the shop started picking up and Isaac decided to test new ideas.
“I have now employed an attendant to help me sell while I ride my motorbike to neighbouring communities to sell directly to farmers who cannot travel to Ashirifikrom. I travel to four communities at the moment including Fumsokitiwaa, Aboabo, Aboabo No.2 and Fumsokese to sell”, Isaac explains.
Isaac is also a beneficiary of the MASO Agro-Academy, as a result, he also received training on cocoa agronomy. He, therefore, has basic knowledge of the application of agro-chemicals. Isaac also sprays farms when he is not busy on his own farm or at the shop for a fee.
Although Isaac has been selling for only a year, he is very happy about his work.
“I am very excited about my progress, the business has helped me personally, my brothers and my community. I am happy to have found a solution to the community’s challenge. Now they do not have to travel to buy agrochemicals”, noted Isaac.
Isaac at a venture fair organised by the MASO Business Academy
His capital has also increased fourfold. He made a profit of GHc1,500 cedis ($330 dollars) from selling the agro-chemicals and providing spraying services to farmers in the community and beyond. He has reinvested
the entire amount into his business. His current capital is now GHC 2,000 cedis ($440 dollars).
Although the agrochemicals business is booming, Isaac remains committed to farming. Isaac believes this will keep him busy all year round and provide a constant source of income for him. He hopes to improve his savings and financial knowledge to grow his business.
A happy Isaac in his community
