Meet the Emerging Farmer: Mrs. Muteriswa

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Mrs. Muteriswa

Farmer Profiles Meet the Emerging Farmer

This week Emerging Farmer talked to the former teacher and reluctant farmer, Mrs Muteriswa, who is farming in Alabama, Kadoma. Mrs Muteriswa raises pigs and cattle and grows maize, vegetables and tomatoes on her plot. She sells her pigs and beef to Koala Meats (a local abattoir and butchery).

How did your farming journey start?

My husband has always been the farmer at heart, I am a city girl at heart. About six years ago, he decided he didn't like the city life anymore and shipped us to the plot in Alabama. The first days I was so disgruntled and I hoped this would make him change his mind.

                                     Asi hazvina kushanda (It didn’t work).

Then one day an uncle came to visit and sat my husband and me down. He had hatched a plan to help us start our farming journey. He told my husband and me, he would give us the seed and the tractor to farm and all we needed to do was buy the diesel. When the crop was ready he would come collect it and sell it for us. And true to his word this is exactly what he did for us. As time went on he kept encouraging us and helping us until eventually we started doing it on our own.

As time went on, I came to realise that farm life is much cheaper and more hustle free than city life and I began to appreciate it. As my appreciation grew, the things happening on the farm grew with us. Now we have eight mother pigs and we have grown our cattle herd from 12 to 40.  A week with my vegetables I can get about $50 a week which helps pay for the labour on the farm.

However not all was rosy, a couple of years back when we starting out, all out property and animals burnt to the ground. We aren’t certain what started the fire, but we lost everything and had to start from scratch. But we managed to build it all up again and now it is nothing but smiles. The classroom is easier however this is much better.

What was the catalyst for you to becoming a farmer?

The catalyst in my life would be my husband, my uncle and another friend of mine who lives nearby. After seeing the benefits of farming, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

What lessons have you learnt on your farming entrepreneurial journey so far?

Don’t give up keep pushing until you get to where you want to be. When our stuff was burnt, I was heartbroken and felt like throwing in the towel. Friends and family around me give me the support and today I am all smiles.

What are the challenges you face as a Zimbabwean Farmer?

Electricity is a major problem.

What advice would give other emerging farmers?

Do not start a project without researching how much capital you need for it to take off. Take for example raising pigs, they need to be fed and if you have no money that could be a problem.

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Munya Shamuyarira

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Munya Shamuyarira

Farmer Profiles Meet the Emerging Farmer

This week’s Emerging Famer is Munya Shamunyarira. Munya is an urban farmer and the founder of Marcus Produce, a horticulture company. Emerging Farmer spoke to him about what inspired his farming journey, working with creatives for branding and using available resources.

How and why did your farming journey begin?

Munya: I've always had a passion for farming. My journey started way back as a kid. My grandfather used to farm in Zvimba. So during the holidays we would visit their place to help out. At the end of the holidays, we would get some money for our efforts, so this cultivated a degree of appreciation for farming on my part.

Do you have a farming background?

Munya: Over the years I realised that farming was my thing so I studied Agriculture in high school and immediately after Form Four I did a certificate in Agriculture followed by a degree in Agriculture.

Can you tell us more about your company?

Munya: My company is a registered a private business corporation trading under Marcus Produce. This is a means of establishing a brand and taking a step to formalise operations. The design for the brand was done by a designer friend of mine, Tapiwa Masuka, who is the founder and head designer of Project 10 Design Studio.

So, what do you produce?

Munya: I produce a range of vegetables on a seasonal basis. Tomatoes, cucumbers, brassicas, peppers, fine beans, baby marrows and peas. Although most of the year, I grow tomatoes.

What was your motivation for becoming a farmer?

Munya: Agriculture is both an art and a science. I was exposed to it at a tender age because for rural people it is not only a source of income but part of their way of life. The more I farmed with the elders, the better I became, the more questions I had and the more my passion developed. While growing up I also had a couple of like-minded friends, we used to produce vegetables as a hobby and also raise small livestock like ducks and rabbits. Such initiatives prompted me to take up farming more seriously.

How has your educational background helped you with starting your business?

Munya: My education and training assisted me in starting my own business because I'm a farmer before anything else. I was trained to farm, even if employment opportunities were available I would most likely be employed in production. So I told myself to focus on what was currently available and not on the ideal situation, which is not there. I decided to use my training, passion and skill to earn a living while doing what I enjoy.

What is your daily work routine?

Munya: I get up pretty early to assess the crops and take care of any orders so that they can be delivered while still fresh.  I make deliveries then return to manage the plot and do field work. During the afternoon and early evening, I attend to walk-in customers.

Can you tell us a little about your team?

Munya:  On the ground I only have one person helping me. There are set systems which ease on labour, for example, drip irrigation, staggered plantings, mulching and other things. The guy I work with's name is Norman. He has been with me for more than 5 years so he is quite handy and skilled. Other family members also chip in occasionally on marketing and deliveries.  In directly, I have other young farmer associates who chip in with ideas and moral support.

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Yvonne Kazingizi

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Yvonne Kazingizi

Farmer Profiles Meet the Emerging Farmer

This week’s emerging farmer is Yvonne Kazingizi. Yvonne is the co-founder and Finance Director of Hortech Limited, a startup horticulture company. Her goal? Build a leading horticulture company and a green future. Emerging Farmer talked to her about getting started, her farming vision and her business team.

Let’s start from the beginning: Where did your farming journey begin?

Yvonne: My farming journey started when I was working at Pedstock Investments {a farm supply and service company} as a sale representative.

It started with a conversation during lunch with my friend, and co-worker Rumbidzai Mbambo. She wanted to venture into farming but didn't have enough resources to get started and I was in a similar position. I had this strong desire to venture into farming, influenced by the company I was working for.

Do you have a farming background?

Yvonne: Yes I do have a farming background. I grew up with my grandparents who did a lot of farming. During the rainy season, we would go kumunda {to the fields}, to plant maize as well as doing gardening at home.

Can you tell us about your company and what it does?

Yvonne: Our company is called Hortech Limited and we mainly deal with the supply of quality horticulture produce.

What was your motivation to start farming?

Yvonne: I was motivated by a number of factors, first, the desire and passion that I always had for farming to do something with my own hands. Second, to earn extra income for myself instead of having to wait for my salary. Third, to also provide employment for many people who are unable to find employment, and above all to revive our country’s agriculture sector.

How did your educational background help you with running your farming business?

Yvonne: I am an accounts graduate with the Institute of Administration and Commerce (IAC).My accounting background has helped me with: managing as well as raising funds for my business coupled with the working that am getting at work since I deal with farmers.

Tell us how you manage your daily work routine

Yvonne: Since I am still in formal employment I work Monday through Saturday, during that time I deal with farmers. I manage my farming business during my free time over the weekend. During that time, I research how to be more efficient in what I do. And on other free days, if not most days, I will be out in the garden, tending to the crops.

Tell us about your partners and team

Yvonne: As Hortech LTD,   there are five of us in total.  We have Rumbidzai Mbambo, a horticulturalist, whose studying horticulture at Midlands State University (MSU). Wiseman Mashandudze, irrigation engineer, then there is me, the Finance Director and our sub team Mr James, project supervisor and Chris, our driver.

What lessons have you learned along your journey?

Yvonne: Find a market before ploughing and harvesting your crop. To always have adequate resources be it financial and pertaining to transport, because it was a huge disaster for us failing to transport our goods to the market because we did not budget for transport costs.

What are some of the challenges of getting started farming in Zimbabwe?

Yvonne: One, as a young farmer we have faced challenges pertaining to funding issues they are a lot of projects that we intend to do but getting the adequate finance has being our stumbling block.

Two, low prices in market. We have been forced to sell our produce at low prices which barely sustain us.Three, transport and logistical challenges. After having produced quality goods, hiring transport to take our goods to market has been a challenge because we end up using our sales money to pay for our transport costs and as a result no money to put back in the business.

Four, land is an issue for us because we would like to grow big but we only have small portions of land which limit our growth.

What advice would you give other farmers?

My advice will be not to give up in whatever farming branch you are doing, because as farmers we got the tendency of giving up to quickly because a project failed at first doesn't mean it is not worth it, take each and every obstacle or disappointment as a learning curve to better yourself next time.

Second, be passionate with what you are doing because passion will carry you in the difficult times. Third, research and study - be it the market or the produce you want to sale.

What is your vision for Hortech?

We intend for Hortech LTD to be a sole supplier of quality horticulture produce not only in Zimbabwe but internationally. Our motto being "Grow a Green Future"

We intend create a school on farming were farmers learn how to grow quality crops without having to enroll in an tertiary institute, as well as create employment as we grow . And lastly to set up food processing plants.

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Ruramiso Mashumba

Meet the Emerging Farmer: Ruramiso Mashumba

Farmer Profiles Meet the Emerging Farmer

Ruramiso Mashumba is a farmer and founder of Chomwedzi Farm, located about 20 km from Marondera, Zimbabwe. Not only is she growing for export, she is also a young leader in the Zimbabwe Farmer Union, a leading farmer association. Emerging Farmer sat down with her, to talk about how she got started, staying present and her vision for the future. 

Devoted, motivated and strong-willed are three words that would describe, 29-year-old, Ruramiso Mashumba, a young lady who decided to go against the grain, and make a living farming.

With 117 hectares of gum trees, 10 hectares of maize, four hectares of soya and a plan to grow peas in the winter, her assertiveness is evident in the number of hectares she has under  production in Marondera. In the beginning, her authority was undermined because she was a woman.

Her studies in the UK made her especially realize the differences, but also the similarities between European and Zimbabwean farming. With this knowledge, Ruramiso is always keen on new approaches, ideas, and technologies.

How did your farming journey start?  Do you come from an agricultural background?

I studied farming in high school at Watershed College in Marondera. The school is strong in educating young people in agriculture. That’s when my farming career began at the age of 17. At that time, my dad also bought a farm next door to school.

I grow peas for export, and brown organic rice, green mealies, potatoes, gum trees, and vegetables.

What was the catalyst for you to becoming a farmer?

My education and upbringing made me who I am today.

How did your educational and training background assist you in starting your own farming business?

I did a diploma in Agriculture first and got a First Class and two distinctions then I did B.A. (Hons) in Agriculture Business Management in the United Kingdom (UK).

Tell us about a typical day on the farm?

I start work at 6am. I have a quick meeting with workers.  And do the rounds around the farm and the day ends at 7pm.

Tell us a little about your team?

I am proud to say I have a committed and dedicated team. I have 3 people who run the irrigation daily from 6am till about 4pm. I have a foreman who does record keeping like millimetres (mm) of rain, records activity, monitors activities, and other things. I also work with agronomists who supply us chemicals from Agricura (a local company) who are willing to come and help with external services.

What lessons have you learned in your farming entrepreneurial journey so far?

I have learned that you need to be present to win. It is important as farmers to actually live and visit your project daily. Also, no man is an island. Connect with people who sell you seed, fertilizers and chemicals. Get them to visit you.

What are the challenges you face as a Zimbabwean farmer?

I think the challenge I face is in Zimbabwe is access to everything is not easy. To buy equipment you need cash. To install irrigation you need to pay cash. So really there is not enough financial support, I would say to youth and farmers out there – if you don’t have collateral, don’t be afraid to get a loan.

What advice would give other farmers?

My advice would to new farmers is to start small. Understand how to run a business at the back of your garden before you grow, get a market first. And lastly, if you fail to try again.

What are your future plans and aspirations for you agribusiness?

I hope to be able to expand from small scale. I irrigate using an overhead system, I would like a center pivot which is more efficient. To own good quality equipment and to have a processing plant on the farm for my rice and vegetables that I will export across the region. My farm to become an agritourism place and to inspire other youth, women, and school children.