Mariseth Farms, a female-led agribusiness based in Ghana’s Western North Region, has raised over $1 million in funding from RDF Ghana, Sahel Capital, and ABSA Bank. The investment, announced in June, will support the company’s expansion plans and deepen its work with smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people in rural communities.
Founded in 2016 by Marian Ofori Twumasi, Mariseth Farms is known for its large-scale cultivation and processing of oil palm, soybeans, and maize. The company integrates in-house farming with a growing network of over 9,200 smallholder suppliers across Ghana.
Scaling sustainable agriculture in Ghana’s rural communities
With this new round of funding, Mariseth Farms plans to boost crop production on its own farms, expand its network of local suppliers, and recruit more extension officers to train and support farmers. A key part of the strategy is building stronger links with offtakers and entering new export markets.
In Bibiani, where the company operates a vast oil palm plantation, plans are underway to establish a state-of-the-art processing plant to serve both Mariseth’s farms and partner farmers in the area. The business already sells raw produce to processing companies in Tema but aims to add value locally and increase profit margins.
The numbers speak volumes: over 50 precent of Mariseth’s workforce is female, and among the youth employees, 80 percent are young women. This makes the company not just a major player in agriculture, but a role model for inclusive business in Ghana.
CEO Marian Ofori Twumasi honoured for agribusiness leadership
In November 2024, CEO Marian Ofori Twumasi was named the 2024 African Agribusiness Woman of the Year at the Guzakusa Awards in Accra. Recognised for creating jobs, mentoring other women in agriculture, and expanding agribusiness advocacy, she continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Her impact is tangible. Mariseth Farms has cultivated hundreds of acres of oil palm, maize, soybeans, yams, and cocoa. It also operates a growing aquaculture business, producing catfish and managing beehives, rabbits, ducks, and geese. The company’s diverse model combines food production, agro-processing, and rural employment.
She also called on the youth to start small and grow steadily, noting her own journey from national service to CEO
Looking ahead
With strategic backing and a clear vision, Mariseth Farms is set to deepen its footprint in Ghana’s agriculture value chain. The company’s model—rooted in women’s leadership, rural inclusion, and value addition—offers a glimpse into the future of agribusiness in West Africa.
As board appointments like John Scicchitano (Pangea Africa) and Gena Perry (WISHH) signal stronger governance and global partnerships, all eyes are on Mariseth Farms as it leads Ghana’s agribusiness transformation, one rural community at a time.
