Earlier this year Shared Interest loaned money to Bio-Exotica, a Ghanaian pineapple producer, for the purchase of some much-needed equipment; which will enhance both their sustainability and their social impact. Henk visited Bio Exotica and was impressed by the support Shared Interest gives.
Bio Exotica, established in 2003, is the sole employer in the Asegya area, providing work for more than 100 field workers and other staff. They also play an active social role in the local community and have founded one modern primary school and renovated another. They have also brought roads and electricity to the area.
The organisation aims to provide assured employment for workers and the transfer of knowledge to local famers. Additionally, they aim to improve the living conditions of their community by contributing to employment, education and the development of local infrastructure.
Henk talked about the challenges Bio-Exotica has faced including how the transportation of pineapples with an old truck meant that they couldn’t keep the pineapples at the right temperature for their customers. A loan from Shared Interest helped them to purchase a refrigerated truck which solved the problem.
Whilst here, Henk shared some interesting pineapple facts with the team:
How long does it take for a Pineapple grow? 18 months
How many days after flowering can we harvest? 138-144 days
What is the season for Pineapples? Always, yearly, 365 days a year
Where can you grow Pineapple the best? 10 ° N and 10 ° S Of the Equator
You can find out more on Bio Exotica by clicking here.
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