Feeding Ghanaians, Empowering Farmers
Unique-CARI Farms is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Animal Research Institute (CSIR-ARI) and Farm Unique Limited to scale up production of livestock, using both local research results and cutting-edge international technologies, facilities and other resources of the CSIR-ARI and the cumulative business experience and resource strength of Farm Unique Limited to create an environmentally sustainable social enterprise.
In Ghana, there is a growing demand for poultry and piggery products; however, local industry players have not produced enough to meet the rising demand, resulting in massive imports of poultry and piggery products into the country. In value terms Ghana imports approximately US$ 400 million worth of poultry compared to a local production of US$ 32,091,848. The total consumption in volume is around 300,000 metric tonnes of which just a paltry 5% is produced Locally.
For pigs, approximately US$ 2.85 million is imported compared to $526,000 in exports, with local production dominated by smallholder farmers despite increasing local demand. There is an opportunity to increase local production to meet current and future demand using environmentally sustainable inputs and global best practices.
CSIR-ARI
The Animal Research Institute (ARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a public institution formed in 1964 when the mandate was expanded to include areas of animal science other than animal health. The CSIR-ARI like other institutes of the CSIR is currently governed by CSIR Act 521, 1996.
Farm Unique
Farm Unique Limited was formed out of a collaboration by Ghanaians with significant business experience and proven track record of achievement in their various industries of operation. They seek to leverage their experience and exposure to best practice to set up a livestock company that will produce products that meet global standards and become a major player in the agricultural sector in Ghana. Farm Unique Limited brings to the fore the following:
- Expertise in setting up successful businesses
- Marketing/sales and route to consumer/market expertise
- Initial capital/financing.
- Ability to attract additional capital for upscaling if need be.
- Setting up appropriate governance structures
- Producing to the right standards for exports and sale into highly regulated markets in Ghana such as five-star hotels, multinational supermarkets and high-end restaurants.