Innovation Without Borders is a cutting-edge agribusiness that works in the maize and groundnut value chains. Currently, the company works with 1,040 out-growers, each cultivating an average of 6 acres in the Sissala East and Sissala West districts of the Upper West Region; 69% of these out-growers are women. Innovation Without Borders was the first agribusiness in its operational area to offer groundnut plucking services to farmers. The company has worked with the MADE programme since 2016, and by leveraging its support, the company has increased the average area under cultivation from just 2 acres per farmer in 2016 to 6 acres per farmer in 2020. In the 2019 cropping season, the company aggregated 4,500 MT of farm produce through its relationship with out-growers.
MADE interventions
- Recruited, trained and deployed four Farm Enterprise Advisors (FEAs) and one FEA manager to facilitate the company’s activities.
- Facilitated links with tractor services for out-growers.
- Supported underserved farmers using extension services from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
- Facilitated demonstrations and training through trainings and farmer field days.
- Established commercial partnerships with other enterprises.
Impacts
- Increased smallholder outreach from 600 in 2016 to 1,040 in 2020.
- Increased access to inputs, credit, markets and farm advisory services for farmers.
- Increased understanding of good agricultural practices and proper application of agro-inputs.
- Facilitated timely application of inputs including ploughing, quality seeds and fertilisers.
- Increased farmers’ yields from an average of 1.2 MT per acre in 2016 to 1.9 MT per acre in 2019.
