Zimbabweans start-ups develop “Mobile Farm” to provide consumers with fresh produce

Young Zimbabwean entrepreneurs have developed a “Mobile Farm” to provide local consumers with nutritious farm produce and also reduce the growers’ production and operational costs.

Keith Chipudhla is the co-founder and head-grower of Vitagrow Urban Farms, an agricultural start-up based in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the youthful farmer said Vitagrow’s formation was inspired by Berlin-based InFarm’s in-store hydroponics and vertical agriculture.

“Hydroponics and vertical agriculture are nascent methods of farming in Africa, with Vitagrow Urban Farms being at the forefront of blazing a trail in the region,” Chipudhla said.

“With our goal of ‘Revolutionising the Urban Food Landscape,’ the Zimbabwean start-up is driven by process, innovation, research, and development, as well as a strong focus on the youth and community.”

According to Chipudhla, on average, the majority of the produce grown in Zimbabwe is farmed on farms located at least 60km away from the consumer.

“Fresh produce simultaneously loses quality and becomes more expensive with every kilometre it travels, an effect exacerbated by Zimbabwe’s hot climate and lack of access to refrigerated logistical options,” he added.

Vitagrow Urban Farms was founded in 2020, after the owners saw the need for access to high quality affordable and nutritious produce in urban communities.

It then sought to provide this using sustainable methods.

“Located in the heart of Zimbabwean suburbs, Vitagrow’s main farm, ‘Farm One,’ provides up to a tonne of fresh produce to the urban community, including leading restaurants and supermarkets every month through hydroponic systems built with locally sourced knowledge and materials.”

It is the first of its kind in Africa.

Chipudhla said Vitagrow Urban Farms recently added a mobile farm to its operations aiming to bridge the gap between the “farm and fork”.

“Soon, retailers and chefs will have a portable, convenient, and cost-effective food offering option by growing their produce on-site. As well as providing customers with living produce that can be replanted and enjoyed fresh. This is something never done or seen before in most of Africa,” he noted.

The mobile farm grows a variety of herbs and leafy greens in small cabinet structures outfitted with the hydroponic infrastructure required to grow and sustain healthy and nutritious vegetables.

The start-up is also eager to continue developing and improving its model, with plans to roll out more mobile farms in urban areas to serve more businesses and communities in the coming year.

“The Farm One is a testament to the possibilities available to low-income countries that wish to maximise productivity and minimise environmental damage using hydroponics and vertical farming,” Chipudhla added.

Vitagrow’s efforts in improving food security in Zimbabwe were recently recognised by aid agencies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and HIVOS.

The two organisations have commissioned the start-up to develop a prototype under the Youth Food Action programme, which is aimed to improve the security and quality of the urban food system for the young.

Vitagrow has also formed partnerships with other agriculture entities, including the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC), with the goal of filling the gap for locally produced hydroponic nutrients without the inflated price fuelled by importation logistics.

“This is just the beginning of delivering on Vitagrow Urban Farms’ vision of bringing access to nutritious and affordable produce to the local communities within which we farm, with plans to expand our business across more cities and countries in the region over the next five years.”