This project has four main objectives:

1. Procure and install cold storage facility
2. Procure cold chain delivery van
3. Conduct post-harvest management training
4. Acquire Ghana Green Label certification

1. Procurement and Installation of Cold Storage Facility

   With the installation of Cold Chain Storage Infrastructure, this will position the company to receive bulk produce with significant volumes from its out-growers, without the fear of post-harvest losses. Farmers will increase their turnover because the produce could be harvested quickly and promptly and then have access to their land to commence another planting cycle immediately.

   In addition to the installation of the cold chain storage infrastructure, the supplier would be required to:

   • provide training to three (3) production employees of Ropryn responsible for the day to day management of the facility
   • provide guaranteed after-sales service for at least three (3) months after installation
   • provide periodic maintenance towards optimal performance of the facility
2. Procurement of Cold Chain Delivery Van

   Having a cold chain transportation system is imperative considering the perishability and damage of fresh fruits and vegetables while in transit. It will significantly improve the turn-around time and boost the operations of the company. Below considerations have also been made:

   • A tracking device with GPS and data loggers will be installed in the vehicles to provide real time information between two locations, and also to ensure produce are kept within required temperatures, respectively
   • The insurance policy for the vehicles will be comprehensive and only qualified persons with the required driver licence will be engaged to drive them
   • A professional motor engineer will carry out thorough inspection before taking delivery of the vehicles.
3. Post-Harvest Management Training

   Ropryn will deploy in-house expertise to train farmers on post-harvest management. Training will combine local knowledge and experiences of the smallholder farmer. Among other practical exposures, training topics will include:

   • harvesting techniques
   • post-harvest handling (cleaning, sorting, grading, packing, storage)
   • transportation
   • understanding supply chain dynamics

   Training facilitators have previously been trained and have practical experience of working within the production lines of Freshmark Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite in Ghana. The company will specifically:

   • Mobilize and organize 100 smallholder farmers for training
   • Develop training materials to be used for training
   • Train farmers on post-harvest management practices
   • Provide farmers with basic post-harvest tool kits These tool kits will include but not limited to the following:
     • Harvesting Tools (Secateurs or knives, harvesting bags).
     • Handling Tools (Plastic crates, rubber bowls, tarpaulins, gloves, tables & sheds for cleaning, sorting and grading).
   • Provide mentorship & coaching program through farmer field visits

   Other considerations for the training include:

   • Content of the training, training materials and interaction with the participants are based on international standards and good post-harvest practices.
   • Action Plan and institutionalisation: Participants, with support and guidance from Ropryn are expected to develop action plans after each training session, whereby they elaborate on how they intend to utilise skills and lessons learned in their daily operations and on the long run.
   • The training programme will incorporate presentations combined with hands-on exercises, practical tool applications (demonstrating the steps /processes), role-based simulations and interactive exercises, and follow-up field visits to reinforce learning.
   • Smallholder farmers who are also beneficiaries of this project will be provided with continuous mentorship & coaching activities even beyond the project phase.
4. Green Label Certification

   In order to meet the growing demand of domestic high-end market, some selected farmers under the project will be certify under the Green Label Certification Scheme. The Ghana Green Label Scheme is aimed at promoting safe food production, postharvest handling and distribution using good and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. This activity would serve as an incentive for the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) among producers.  Consumers would also be assured that fruits and vegetables come from a well-managed and sustainable source.

   Specifically, Ropryn will:

   • Shortlist and interview farmers from its out-grower membership and work with 60 hardworking and committed members
   • Facilitate the training of farmers on Green Label Standards
   • Facilitate onsite inspection and auditing prior to certification for the farmers
   • Provide improve and approved seeds and agro-chemicals to farmers

The project will produce the following key deliverables at the end of the implementation period:

• 4 new Supplier Agreements signed with retail supermarkets
• 1 Cold Chain Storage Structure (20–Foot Container) procured and installed
• 2 Cold Chain/Refrigerated Delivery Vans procured
• 100 Smallholder Farmers (Under the Greenhouse Production and Open Field Production) trained on Post-Harvest Management within the coastal belt of the Western Region
• 60 Farmers trained and supported to be certified under the Green Label Certification Scheme
• 60 Farmers provided with Post-Harvest Tool Kits to improve on harvesting and field handling practices
• 60 Farmers supported with seeds and agro-chemicals to support Green Label Certification initiatives.
• 1 Agronomist recruited to support the farmers production activities
• Flyers of 2 fruits and 3 vegetables developed and printed to promote their consumption
• 5000 copies of flyers printed to be distributed to consumers in some selected retail supermarket outlets
• Farmers revenue increased by 15% as a result of improved post-harvest management techniques
• Increase 600 kg to 720 kg per head and income of GHS 2400 to GHS 3000 per annum
• Smallholder/out-growers numbers increased from 60 to 100 by the end of year 1
• Procurement of produce from open-field farmers increased from 40% to 80% by the end of project
• Volume and value of fresh processed fruits & vegetables supplied to the domestic market increased to 280.0MT from 186.0MT; and from US$148,251.08 to US$184,331.58, per annum respectively