Bio-Exotica produces organic Pineapples in a dry and remote area along the banks of Lake Volta in Ghana, close to the hydroelectric Akasombo* Dam constructed 40 years ago. Bio-Exotica was established in 2003 in the Asuogyaman District in the eastern part of Ghana. The name “Asuogyaman” comes from two words namely ‘Asuogya’ and ‘Man’ which together mean the State beyond the Lake. The pineapples are grown on a Lakeside Farm at Asegya and can be grown on eroded land in dry areas with little or no irrigation. Pineapple planted on degraded lands helps to reduce soil erosion and thereby environmental degradation. Furthermore, Bio Exotica is the largest provider of employment opportunities for the local community.

 * Akosombo is the name of the town where Ghana’s only hydro-electric dam can be found. The name simply means “chain-like stone”. It refers to chain-like stone which was picked from the lakebed by divers working on the Hydro –Electric dam. The Volta Lake created by the dam is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.

The company owns 120 hectares of land, 25 of which are planted with pineapple. The non-productive areas will be planted with green manure covering crops in order to enrich soils and to avoid erosion. Long fallow periods under green manure have positive results for the soil and will ensure the sustainability of the organic production. In order to protect the fragile lake-shore-environment many trees have been planted to protect this shoreline.

Bio-Exotica is a new promoter in the area as the company is the sole employer in the Asegya area, providing work for more than 100 workers and staff. With the establishment of the company it was possible to upgrade the working and educational facilities for the local population, as well as offer extensive training programs for the workers and earmarking education. This has resulted in a hard working, satisfied labour force and the founding of the only modern primary school in the neighbouring village in 2006. The company also plays an active social role in the lakeside community.  Recently another local school was completely renovated and educational tools provided thanks to funding from Bio-Exotica

The company-funded developments around Bio-Exotica have triggered the national authorities to take action as well, implementing extended electricity lines to households in the area and tarring main roads.

Interview with Kwame Yeboah-Afari

N&M: Bio-Exotica functions as a new promoter in the area since the company is the sole employer in the region. What does this mean for the region?
Kwame: The peninsula in lake Volta, where Bio-Exotica is established, was totally cut off from the rest of the country after the Akasombo Dam was built in Lake Volta 40 years ago. This resulted in a total disconnection of any economic activity with the rest of the country. The local population lived from cassava production, and often (inter)national organizations came to investigate the possibilities for starting a development project in this area. A lot was promised but nothing was realized until the founders of Bio-Exotica came to the area.
Bio-Exotica was the first company who took the risk to start a completely new company in organic pineapple production, with the help of Dutch investments.
The Lake Farm pineapple plantation was set up at the highest spot on the peninsula with a beautiful view on Lake Volta.

N&M: What influenced the new plantation in the area, and what made Bio-Exotica decide to start using organic production methods?
Kwame: It made beautiful sense to capitalize on the availability of clean water from the Volta River reservoir and the good soil quality by adopting  organic production practices on the plantation.
At the beginning, essential infrastructure was missing in the region; there was no electricity, only a sandy access road and no accommodation for healthcare or education in the area. With the help of the local government and the effort of Bio-Exotica, an electricity network was developed. This was very special at the time because Ghana was in the middle of an electricity crisis. Next, an access road was constructed which opened the way for international export as well as allowed for easy mobilization of the people in the area. The road, the availability of electricity and the employment provided by Bio Exotica have greatly influenced the well being of the community. A health care centre and a primary school have changed the life of the people. There is now a future imaginable. The children of the community go to school; the employees of Bio-Exotica have increased their chances for future succes through training for specialized jobs on the plantation or in its administrative office.

N&M: You originate from the area, what does Bio-Exotica mean to you? 
Kwame: I feel closely related to the area and therefore it was an enormous opportunity for me to work at Bio-Exotica and see the community flourish.
Lake Farm is established in the area of the Akal tribe. A tribe in Ghana that is deeply rooted to a place and has a history in the location. To open the possibilities for Bio-Exotica in this area, rites were performed as the blessing of the Gods is needed for success.
In bygone days my family lived here, but I myself come from the north of Ghana. As the story goes, a long time ago twin boys were born to the old Chief. Nobody knew what to do with two Chiefs so the younger of the two left with part of the family and moved to northern Ghana. My family is descended from him.