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Faith Ndlovu
IN a world where entrepreneurship and sustainability are increasingly intertwined, Pretty Nyahwema (24), a passionate farmer, is making a name for herself in the agricultural sector.
Her approach to farming is not only about growing crops but also about serving the community, creating employment and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Nyahwema said she grew up watching her parents farm, which inspired her to venture into agriculture herself. Although she had a degree in tourism and hospitality management, she had to learn from the field to start farming.
“I grew up watching my mom farm and saw the money it generated. After school, I realised my father’s farm was lying idle, so I decided to utilise it,” she said.
For her, farming is more than just a business; it’s about providing nutritious food to the community while also generating income and jobs.
“In my community, I’m providing employment, enabling people to send their kids to school with the farming earnings and supplying nutritious products. Most importantly, I’m empowering the entire community,” she said.
Nyahwema uses soil sampling, market surveys and careful planning in her farming approach to avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and instead uses organic farming methods such as utilising goats, cows and chickens. Her commitment to sustainability is evident in her use of solar systems, boreholes for water and crop rotation techniques. One of the challenges she faced was when her tomatoes were destroyed by frost.
“My tomatoes were damaged by frost, so I had to switch to greenhouse farming. However, greenhouse farming can be unpredictable and is influenced by phenomena like El Niño and La Niña. Therefore, my strategy has been to control the water supply rather than relying on natural water sources. That’s why I drilled boreholes,” explained Nyahwema.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: “Dirty fingers make clean money. The soil is a resource with infinite potential. All you need to do is get your hands dirty to make money. Get involved in farming activities and minimise alcohol and drug abuse, as well as other vices that are affecting young people in urban areas.”
Looking to the future, she is excited to tackle her next initiative, which is piggery. With her passion, expertise and commitment, she will continue to make a positive impact in the agricultural sector and her community.
Online Reporter