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Built and led by farmers

Promoting regenerative
agriculture in Zimbabwe

Agriculture is the main source of income in rural Zimbabwe supporting 85% of the population .However due to severe droughts small holder farmers have not been able to produce enough to feed themselves .

Our Story

Build and led by a farmer. Mnandi Africa was founded by Ruramiso Mashumba, a passionate young Zimbabwean farmer committed to growing nutritious food and empowering rural communities.

Raised in rural Zimbabwe, Ruramiso understood the challenges faced by smallholder farmers—especially women who worked long hours using hand hoes and ox-drawn plows, often with little return. Many of these women were married off at a young age, had no access to formal education, and lacked the tools and knowledge needed to improve their farming methods.
Her journey took her to the UK, where she earned a degree in Agriculture from Hartpury College. After three years abroad, she returned home and was confronted by the harsh realities of farming in Zimbabwe:
  • Climate change had increased crop disease and reduced yields.
  • Access to finance was limited and expensive.
  • Post-harvest losses and poor market access meant many families remained trapped in poverty.
Despite these challenges, Ruramiso applied her training and managed to grow her farm into a successful and sustainable venture—producing yields up to 10 tons where others were harvesting only a few buckets. Her achievements earned her national and international recognition.

In 2016, she was selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship and had the honor of meeting President Barack Obama. During a presidential fireside chat, he shared a message that deeply resonated:

“Global challenges can only be solved locally, by empowering community leaders.”
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That moment sparked the beginning of Mnandi Africa.
Empowering Rural Farmers
Mnandi Africa began its work with a baseline study in a rural village in Marondera, revealing that the average household income was just $60 per year, and most farmers harvested only 2–3 buckets of produce on land that could yield much more.
Today, Mnandi Africa is changing that story.

Ruramiso Mashumba

Founder & CEO, Mnandi Africa

What we do

Mnandi Africa is dedicated to providing rural women and youth farmers with the necessary skills and resources to thrive in agriculture. We are passionate about empowering rural communities to achieve economic independence and create positive change for the environment.

Step
Training & Skills Development
We equip farmers with knowledge about modern and sustainable farming methods. With access to training and support, farmers can significantly improve yield and production
1st
Step
Step
Access to Mechanized Farming Equipment
Through our mechanized farming equipment services, Mnandi Africa empowers smallholder farmers with affordable access to tractors, planters, and tillage implements, boosting productivity while promoting sustainable conservation agriculture practices.
2 nd
Step
Step
Access to markets and inputs
Small holder farmers in Zimbabwe lack access to affordable financing inorder to produce high yields and unlock favorable markets . Most farmers rely on government inputs in order to access certified seed . Mnandi lends farmers packs of seeds and fertiliser to establish 1/8 ha plots which can feed a family in a year . Farmers then sell surplus to markets Mnandi connects the farmers . 75% of farmers have adopted 3 of 5 principles of conservation agriculture.
3 rd
Step

Community Impact

Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

Mnandi Africa is dedicated to providing rural women and youth farmers with the necessary skills and resources to thrive in agriculture. We are passionate about empowering rural communities to achieve economic independence and create positive change for the environment.

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Rural women and youth farmers trained on Conservation Agriculture practices.

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Farmers trained have adopted climate smart practices.

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Rural women and youth farmers trained on Conservation Agriculture practices.

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Rural women and youth farmers trained on Conservation Agriculture practices.

Success Stories

These are the stories of women and youth whose lives have been transformed through our initiatives. Their journeys reflect the power of empowerment through education and entrepreneurship and the potential for sustainable change within rural communities.
“I always thought farming was meant to hurt my back. Here I am, 60 years old, and farming without feeling the pain of bending because we can now use tractors.”
Mbuya Rufandike
Smallholder Farmer
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