By Buertey Francis BORYOR
When Newage Agric Solutions Ltd was founded in 2019, its mission was clear- to transform the country’s agriculture sector by empowering farmers with the right tools, technology, and financial support.
Five years later, the company has made significant progress, helping to improve food security, supporting agribusiness, and creating opportunities for thousands of farmers across the country.
Led by a team with over 40 years of experience in both local and multinational agribusiness, Newage has become a trusted partner for farmers. It has helped improve crop yields, provided better market access, and introduced innovative farming solutions. Now, as it celebrates its fifth anniversary, it reflects on its journey and the impact it has made on the country’s agricultural sector.
The company was founded to address key challenges in the agricultural value chain. It started by supplying high-quality farm inputs, offering mechanisation services, and providing financial support to smallholder farmers. Over the years, this vision has resulted in real progress, with over 45,000 farmers benefiting from its programs. More than half of these beneficiaries are women, showing the company’s commitment to supporting female farmers.
One of its biggest achievements came in 2022 when it was named the Agro-Based Company of the Year by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG). This recognition highlighted its contribution to improving agriculture in the country. In addition to this achievement, Newage has launched several initiatives that have helped transform farming in the country.
Milestones and achievements
It has introduced structured programs to support maize, rice, and soya farmers, improving both production and access to markets. Through its Seed Technology Improvement and Commercialisation (STIC) Project, it has helped the nation’s seed industry by making improved maize, rice, and soya varieties more accessible to farmers. Additionally, it has focused on certified seed production, providing high-yielding hybrid seed varieties to boost productivity.
To strengthen rice production, Newage set up a modern rice processing factory in Okwenya. This facility includes a milling machine that processes three metric tonnes of rice per hour, along with a dryer, silos, and expanded storage facilities. The factory has helped produce Evivi Rice, a premium long-grain rice brand grown by smallholder farmers. It has also entered the poultry sector with Evivi Happy Chicken, an initiative aimed at improving food security.
Another innovative project by Newage is the Nserewa Crowd-Farming Programme. This initiative allows individuals to invest in agriculture while also supporting farmers with essential resources. In addition, it established Newage Academy, a training platform that provides practical agribusiness education, helping to develop the next generation of agriculture professionals.
Building strong partnerships
Furthermore, the company has built strong partnerships with key stakeholders to achieve its goals- collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Lancaster University, Temple Invest, Bayer, Syngenta, Lake Agriculture, World Food Programme, and Mastercard Foundation-funded projects. These partnerships have helped to promote research, introduce new innovations, and provide financial support to farmers, ensuring long-term sustainability in the sector.
Overcoming challenges and driving impact
Despite its success, Newage has also faced challenges. Weather conditions, logistical constraints, and financial difficulties have created obstacles along the way. However, through careful planning, innovation, and commitment to its mission, it has been able to turn these challenges into opportunities.
One of its major contributions has been in youth employment within agribusiness. By providing training and job opportunities, the company is helping to change the perception of agriculture among young people, showing them that farming can be a profitable and sustainable career.
The future of Newage Agric Solutions
Looking to the future, the company has ambitious goals for the next five years. It plans to expand its rice processing capacity to increase local production and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported rice. It also aims to expand its hybrid seed production to improve food security, while strengthening digital and mechanised farming solutions to improve efficiency and productivity.
Moreover, Newage seeks to encourage more young people to join agribusiness through training and job creation, as it looks to expand beyond the country and enter new markets within West Africa.
As the company celebrates its fifth anniversary, Chief Executive Officer, William A. Kotey expresses gratitude to its employees, partners, and farmers who have believed in its vision. With strong foundations and a clear vision for the future, he says the company is ready to enter its next phase of growth and innovation. “The journey is far from over, and the best is yet to come,” he emphasised.
