Rhino Seeds & Agricultural Services (RHINOSAS) is involved in seed production, the retail of agro-inputs and crop aggregation. The company has a 150-acre farm and works with 2,500 smallholder farmers (34% women) farming an average of four acres each across three districts. It has trading relationships with Waste Masters and Agro Ghana Limited, for tractors, combine harvesters and shellers; the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, for foundation seed; and SeedPAG, for wholesale seed purchases. RHINOSAS has set up demonstration plots focusing on intercropping, zero tillage, crop rotation and climate-smart agriculture. It joined the MADE programme in 2017, and in 2018, aggregated over 30 MT of produce.
MADE interventions
- Recruited, trained and deployed 10 Farm Enterprise Advisors.
- Facilitated collaboration with tractor service providers, enabling RHINOSAS to offer mechanisation services to its smallholder farmers.
- Enabled RHINOSAS to provide support to underserved farmers using extension services from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
- Negotiated favourable terms and conditions with major input dealers, including Adama West Africa, enabling RHINOSAS to stock up on agro-inputs for its smallholder farmers.
- Introduced the Advanced Model: RHINOSAS has invested in land preparation, improved seed, plant nutrition and protection, and good agricultural practices.
Impacts
- Expanded smallholder farmer outreach from 1,200 in 2015 to 2,500 in 2018, RHINOSAS works with 2200 SHFs in 2019/2020 production season.
- Increased smallholder farmers’ access to inputs and services.
- Increased understanding among smallholder farmers on the proper application and use of agro-inputs.
- Facilitated more timely application of agro-inputs on smallholder farms through improved service provision.
- Raised yields of smallholder farmers by 44% for maize, 56% for rice and 45% for soybean.
