GZU

For ten students from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)—three young men and seven women—the formation of their agribusiness group, GZU Fresh, marked the beginning of a transformative journey. This wasn’t just a project; it was a chance to reshape their futures. Empowered by a $4,500 grant from the CAUSEWAY Project, implemented by ZADT with support from the Swedish Embassy, these students took their first steps into entrepreneurship, translating theory into practice.

A Clear Vision: Tackling Food Insecurity
United by their studies and a shared passion for agriculture, the group GZU Fresh was formed with a clear vision: to tackle food insecurity while creating a sustainable livelihood.

The CAUSEWAY Project didn’t just provide funding—it gave them training, mentorship, and, most importantly, a belief in their potential.

The Big Harvest: Challenges and Success
The group started their production journey in September 2024 with their first crops being squash butternut and Fabiola variety of cabbages. In a hectare of land, the students managed to plant their butternuts and cabbages to supply Great Zimbabwe with cabbages and Masvingo Chitima open market with butternuts. Despite challenges such as poor road facilities, high transport expenses, erratic weather patterns, and water shortages, the group achieved success with their squash butternut crop. They managed to harvest 5 tonnes of butternuts, earning a total of USD$1,738.50 after injecting USD$1,299.00 into the business. However, the cabbage crop was severely affected by the weather and was completely written off.

Effective Use of Grant: Maximizing Resources
With the $4,500 grant they received, the students came together, pooling their skills, knowledge, and resources to ensure that every dollar was used effectively. Their dedication and strategic planning allowed them to optimize their initial funding, setting a strong foundation for their agribusiness venture. As their butternut crop thrived, so did the members of GZU Fresh—gaining valuable hands-on experience, strengthening their teamwork, and building confidence in their entrepreneurial journey.

Mentorship and Training: Gaining Business Skills
“This experience has changed the students completely,” said Dr. Mubvuma, the group’s mentor from Great Zimbabwe University.

The training provided by the CAUSEWAY Project gave them a strong foundation in sustainable farming practices, crop rotation, and pest management.

Expanding Horizons: Future Plans for GZU Fresh
The success of GZU Fresh has sparked interest among their peers on campus, who are now asking how they can start their own projects. The group is planning to diversify into tomato farming and relocate to a larger farm to increase production capacity. They are also focusing on refining their business model, scaling up production, accessing larger markets, and legalizing the business. While their long-term plans beyond graduation are still taking shape, they are committed to building a foundation that could allow them to continue their agribusiness journey after university.

Inspiring Others: Creating a Legacy
The impact of GZU Fresh extends far beyond the ten members. Their journey has inspired other young people to pursue agribusiness. The group’s future goal is to establish themselves as a leading supplier of high-quality horticulture produce in the region while continuing to inspire other young people to follow in their footsteps.

Words of Wisdom: Staying Resilient in Business

These words truly reflect the spirit of GZU Fresh.

Empowerment and Hope for the Future
From students to changemakers, GZU Fresh has proven that with determination, resilience, and collaboration, the results can be extraordinary. Their story is one of empowerment, hope, and the potential of Zimbabwe’s youth to drive meaningful change when they have the right support.