Bluefields Farms and Logistics, an agribusiness firm, has been selected as part of the 2023 cohort of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) green business programme.
Bluefields, which is into livestock such as poultry and piggery, among others, will benefit from nine months of mentoring, business management support and funding to expand and become investment-ready.
“Over the years, we’ve faced environmental issues, financial hurdles, record-keeping complexities, and the search for reliable sources of raw materials for poultry feed. Being a part of GCIC is a major breakthrough for us and our business. As part of the things we would be doing under this programme, we would be building our own feed production plant to enable us cut down on our cost of production,” said Doris Payne, the farm’s Manager.
The GCIC Programme
Established in 2016 as an institute in the renowned Ashesi University, the GCIC is a vital pillar of support for environmentally conscious businesses aiming to contribute to both climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Entrepreneurs from diverse industries, including waste management, energy efficiency, water purification, and climate-smart agriculture, gather under the GCIC umbrella to share their pioneering solutions for a greener future.
The incubation is a fundamental component of the GCIC programme fully funded by Global Affairs Canada. This translates to a unique opportunity for participants, as the training is both cost-free and complemented by grants for qualifying businesses after the incubation phase.
An event was held in Accra to welcome all the businesses enrolled onto this cohort.
“The induction of cohort eight represents another step forward in GCIC’s mission to support and amplify climate-friendly businesses that contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. These new businesses hail from diverse sectors of operation, including climate smart agriculture, waste management, energy efficiency, water purification, and greening,” according to GCIC.
Ruka Sanusi, the Executive Director of GCIC, in her speech, commended cohort seven for their outstanding achievements during their incubation period.
According to her, the businesses that had gone through the GCIC incubation under cohort seven had saved 298,637.21MT in carbon emissions, employed 586 people, and served 3,025,777.82 households through their business.
She also highlighted the individual successes of entrepreneurs in cohort seven, urging cohort eight to surpass those milestones.
Bluefields
Dedicated to poultry and the farming of other livestock, Bluefields Farms and Logistics, faced multifaceted challenges that forced it to halt operations in 2017. After over a five-year hiatus, Bluefields made a return in early 2022, determined to script a new chapter in its journey.
However, Doris believes that these challenges are surmountable through the nurturing environment of the GCIC incubation programme. She is certain that the journey promises growth not only for her but also for Bluefields farms.
“A lot of things would be taught which will be implemented and practically done during the nine-month training, which I feel will help Bluefields farms to grow. Additionally, the GCIC incubation is an opportunity for us to build networks,” she said.
In the face of stiff competition in the poultry industry, Ms. Payne is confident that Bluefields’ business goals align with delivering unmatched services, which she believes will set them apart from the competition
“In terms of competition, poultry farming is an area of competition, but I believe that Bluefields will always lead with quality and hygienic services, which is part of our goals as a business,” she stated confidently.
