YARP Foods launches cassava flour production facility in Ghana

GHANA – YARP Foods, a winner of the prestigious KIC 2024 AgriTech Challenge Pro, has inaugurated its new cassava flour production facility in Akumsa Dumase, located in Ghana’s Bono East Region.

This milestone, celebrated on November 6, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the company’s efforts to revolutionize the cassava value chain and expand Ghana’s local food processing capabilities.

The facility, with a production capacity of one ton per day, is positioned to meet the growing demand for cassava flour in both domestic and international markets.

At the launch, Andy Donsah Yeboah, Co-Founder and CEO of YARP Foods, underscored the significance of this achievement.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to leveraging innovation to create sustainable solutions within the agricultural sector. Cassava, a staple crop in Ghana, has enormous untapped potential, and we aim to redefine its value by producing high-quality cassava flour that caters to the food and industrial sectors,” he stated.

YARP Foods’ journey to this accomplishment began in the 2024 AgriTech Challenge Pro, a program spearheaded by the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation.

The initiative equips agripreneurs with resources to transform their innovative concepts into impactful businesses.

Winning the challenge provided YARP Foods with critical funding, mentorship, and technical support.

Benjamin Gyna-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, lauded the team’s progress.

“Their success is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the potential of young agribusiness leaders to drive sustainable growth and employment opportunities in Ghana’s agriculture sector,” Benjamin noted.

The facility targets the production of gluten-free cassava flour for baking, confectionery, and industrial applications and serves as a catalyst for local development.

By sourcing raw materials directly from smallholder farmers, YARP Foods is enhancing farmer livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth across the cassava value chain.

“Our goal is not only to create a profitable business but also to make a meaningful impact on the lives of farmers and the broader community,” Yeboah emphasized.

YARP Foods is also investing in community empowerment through its out-grower scheme, which supplies farmers with essential inputs, and its “Dwakesee3” training program, aimed at equipping young people with skills in pastry-making to foster employment and entrepreneurship.

The facility itself is creating new job opportunities, particularly for youth in the area.

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