…to scale climate-smart agriculture, expand smallholder support
Rujo Agri-Trade Ltd., a northern Ghana-based agribusiness dedicated to transforming smallholder farming through innovation and inclusion, has secured strategic funding from RDF Ghana.
The investment, the organisation said in a statement, marks a significant milestone for the company and is expected to accelerate its expansion efforts, with a focus on empowering rural farming communities—particularly women and youth.
Established in 2014, Rujo Agri-Trade currently works with more than 3,500 smallholder farmers who primarily cultivate rice and soybean across the Northern, Savannah and Upper East Regions.
The company provides bundled input services—including seeds, fertiliser, ploughing and harvesting—delivered through a structured network of Farm Enterprise Advisors and Community Champions. These services are offered under an in-kind repayment system designed to ease farmers’ cash flow challenges.
The new capital injection will support the scale-up of Rujo’s rice input credit scheme, anchored on regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices aimed at conserving the environment and reducing production costs.
The investment will also strengthen market access for its network of farmers by aggregating paddy for supply to the company’s recently installed rice processing plant. Additionally, the funds will be used to de-risk production for smallholder farmers through the introduction of agricultural insurance under the firm’s out-grower scheme.
“This funding is a strong endorsement of Rujo’s model and our deep-rooted commitment to improving farmer livelihoods through sustainable practices,” said Joshua Toatoba, Chief Executive Officer of Rujo Agri-Trade. “We are grateful to RDF Ghana and Pangea Africa for believing in our vision. This support will help us deepen our reach and improve productivity while promoting climate resilience in Ghana’s food systems.”
The transaction was facilitated by Pangea Africa Ltd., Rujo’s strategic advisory partner. Pangea Africa played a key role in preparing the business for investment and has supported numerous agribusinesses across Ghana to unlock growth capital.
“Rujo is an example of a farmer-centric business using innovation and inclusion to address systemic challenges in agriculture,” said John Scicchitano, Partner at Pangea Africa. “We are proud to have worked alongside them and look forward to their next growth chapter.”
The investment aligns with the government’s agenda to modernise agriculture and promote resilient agribusinesses. On July 4, Dr. Peter Otokunor of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) visited Rujo and commended the company’s efforts.
“Rujo is a pioneering example of an agri-SME that is driving agricultural transformation, turning Ghana into the breadbasket of West Africa,” he stated.
About Rujo Agri-Trade Ltd.
Rujo Agri-Trade Ltd. is a domestic agribusiness engaged in the production, aggregation and marketing of rice, soybeans and seeds. The company’s model centres on offering a comprehensive bundle of inputs and services to over 3,500 registered out-growers, combined with a buy-back arrangement that enhances market access, job creation and food security.
