Fortress Rock Investments
Fortress Rock Mega farm is a subsidiary of the Fortress Rock Investments business entity which is a registered sole proprietary firm located in Village Headman Mtachi, under the Group Village Headman Mtachi, within the Traditional Authority Mwadzama in the Nkhotakota District of Malawi. It is an enterprise that closely works with the community members who provide the main workforce and the farm in turn provides the primary market for community members various produce especially rice and groundnuts.
As a leading agricultural enterprise in the area, Fortress Rock Mega Farm provides exemplary agricultural practices and production technologies in the production of a diverse range of crops, including rice, groundnuts, tobacco, cassava, and maize. Fortress Rock investments operations extend beyond farming to include micro-processing, enabling the enterprise to add value to products grown on the farm and the surrounding community.
Fortress Rock Investments business is slowly but steadily becoming competitive in the agricultural sector through high quality agricultural products, robust customer care services and the implementation of sustainable farming practices that enhance productivity while ensuring environmental conservation. We have established a robust supply chain that guarantees timely delivery and consistent quality, fostering customer satisfaction and trust. Additionally, our commitment to community development through the organization of local like minded farmers into a cooperative and provision of local employment; to mainly youth and women coupled with various training initiatives including financial literacy; strengthens our relationship with the community and enhances our brand reputation.
The operational strength of Fortress Rock Mega Farm lies in the farm mechanization and a dedicated workforce, composed of local experts with deep knowledge of the Malawian agricultural landscape. The enterprise prioritizes continuous training programs to enhance the skills and productivity of the employees, ensuring that high standards of quality are maintained across all our agricultural products.
Our strategic approach is distinguished by a diversified crop portfolio, which allows the enterprise to mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations and climate variability, ensuring stable revenue streams. By leveraging advanced agricultural technologies and sustainable farming practices, we enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact, setting us apart from traditional farming operations. Our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation in crop production ensures that we consistently meet and exceed industry standards, solidifying our reputation as a reliable supplier.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fortress Rock Mega Farm is a 46.5 hactare farm established in 2020, located in Nkhotakota district. Registered under Fortress Rock Investments trading name, we are engaged in cultivation of Rice, groundnuts, maize, tobacco, cassava and different horticultural vegetables and fruits. Focusing on our main enterprises, this year we have allocated 15 hactares for rice, 10 hactares maize, 4 hactares groundnuts, 4 hactares Tobacco and 3 hactares Cassava with the road network around and through the farm taking up 2hactares.
Fortress Rock Investments Farm was established to operate as a social enterprise that promotes the wellbeing and good life for its customers through organically grown crops and to show case new technologies and best practices to community members around the farm.
It fulfils this promise by contributing towards wealth creation for communities around the farm and through promotion of sustainable conservation agricultural practices which addresses climate change challenges in a manner that also improves soil fertility.
Fortress Rock Investments Farm envisions to be a supplier of first choice both in quality of its products and wellbeing of its workers; the surrounding community and customers as well as the farm ecosystem.
It will achieve this through its contribution to the promotion of the agro- ecological principles, food security, and rural entrepreneurship through capacity development and partnership building with community cooperatives and other likeminded entrepreneurs, improve lives of the marginalized groups especially women and youth through green business and sustainable livelihood creation.
The goal of Fortress Rock Investments Farm is to foster sustainable agricultural development through organic farming practices, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance the socio-economic well-being of marginalized communities by creating opportunities for wealth generation, skill development, and green entrepreneurship.Â
The farm aims to be a leader in climate-smart agriculture while ensuring food security and improving soil health for future generations.
PROGRESS MADE
Since its establishment in March 2020, the business has made significant strides in its development and operations. By the third quarter of the same year, the business commenced trading, marking the beginning of its journey in the agricultural sector. Over the past 12 months, the business has achieved a total turnover of MWK120,650,000, with a profit of MWK 31,234,200, reflecting its growing presence and success in the market. Key achievements include securing initial funding to cover establishment and operational costs, which laid a solid foundation for the business's growth. The completion of infrastructure setup, including essential storage facilities, has been crucial in supporting the farm's operations. Additionally, the business has successfully hired a team of skilled agricultural professionals, ensuring effective management and oversight of crop production.
In its pursuit of excellence, the business has established valuable partnerships with local suppliers and distributors, ensuring a reliable and efficient supply chain. This strategic move has been instrumental in maintaining a steady flow of resources and products, thereby enhancing the business's operational efficiency. The business is also managing four reliable customer markets for all its products, (ADMARC, Auction, Pyxus and local market). The initiation of the first planting cycle for rice, maize, tobacco, groundnuts, and cassava marked a significant milestone, showcasing the business's commitment to diversifying its agricultural offerings since 2020. During the past four years, a critical lesson learned, has been the importance of conducting thorough market research to identify demand trends for each crop pro-actively. This insight has enabled the business to align its production strategies with market needs, thereby optimizing its output and profitability.