Nestlé inspires young agri-business entrepreneurs

Three young entrepreneurs active in the field of agriculture in Ghana have visited Nestlé’s Tema factory as part of the prize they received for winning a pitch competition at the ‘Agri-business Entrepreneurship Bootcamp’.

The bootcamp, organised by the Diaspora Angel Investment Network (DAIN) in 2014, was sponsored by Nestlé Central and West Africa.

It aimed at teaching young entrepreneurs how to build sustainable agri-businesses. Participants were also invited to pitch their venture idea to a panel of judges, made of investors as well as agribusiness and Nestlé representatives.

The winners of the competition, accompanied by DAIN co-founder, visited the different plants, witnessing the entire production process from the processing of raw materials to the manufacturing of the finished products.

This was also an opportunity for them to witness how safety, health and environment as well as quality management are integrated into the company’s operations.

“The factory visit was very insightful. I appreciated seeing how operational excellence is practiced at Nestlé and how the raw materials are integrated into the production lines. This was really inspirational”, said Emmanuel Ampadu, from SESEMU Farms and one of the runners-up of the Pitch Competition.

Chinyere Ababio, farm manager at NWAPA Snail Farms and the winner of the competition, added: “I learned a lot about the values driving the company. I will look at how to integrate these into Snail Farms”.

Nestlé’s support to young agri-entrepreneurs is part of the company’s commitment to strengthen farming as a business and livelihood of choice that offers an attractive income and opportunities for societal advancement. The company wants to help retain the brightest talent within farming communities.

Nestlé’s Tema factory was inaugurated in 1971 with the production of Ideal Milk and Milo. It now also produces Carnation Milk, Chocolim, Chocomilo, Cerelac and Nescafé 3-in-1. In addition to supplying the local market, it exports to other countries in Central and West Africa as well.