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Total Farm Solutions: Pioneering Agricultural Innovation in Zimbabwe.

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Founded by Tapiwa Mugabe, Total farm Solutions is fast becoming a leader in creating innovative custom solutions for farmers in Zimbabwe as they are at the forefront of enhancing farming practices through greenhouse construction and their recent expansion into retail is surely set to give them an edge in the market.

How it all started

Tapiwa’s connection to agriculture runs deep and is shaped by the rich tapestry of his childhood on their farm in the Trelawney area in Darwendale. From the moment he took his first steps on the fertile land, he was immersed in the vibrant world of farming, a legacy that began with his father’s bold decision to purchase the family farm in the 1980s. This foundational experience not only instilled a profound respect for the land but also awakened in him a vision of its potential. Growing up, agriculture was not just a pastime for Tapiwa, it was a way of life. By the time he reached primary school, he was already driving tractors, a feat that many only dream of at that age. His enthusiasm did not stop there, as he transitioned into high school, he initiated a rabbit farming project, driven by a competitive spirit that saw him aspiring to rival seasoned farmers from South Africa.

The agriculture part of me was by birth. It chose me. I was born on a farm and I grew up witnessing the ups and downs of farming. My parents ensured that I was involved at an early age. I could drive a tractor by the time I reached grade 7, and when I was now doing my ‘O’ level, I had a big rabbit unit that I was running with a vision to compete with South African farmers.

 His thirst for knowledge was insatiable. He eagerly devoured issues of Farmers Weekly and collected various agricultural magazines that his father bought, immersing himself in the insights and innovations of the industry. Yet, Tapiwa’s journey was not without its challenges. After high school, he found himself envious of his brother, who had ventured into the finance sector and was now enjoying the fruits of his labor as he bought a new vehicle. Tapiwa, on the other hand, felt stuck on the farm, grappling with feelings of stagnation. It was a pivotal moment in his life, one that could have easily led him astray.  However, his mother’s unwavering support and sage advice resonated deeply with him to carve his own path and to embrace the potential that lay ahead.  Tapiwa recalled, reflecting on the encouragement that fueled his determination.                                                  

Soon after A level, when I was about to prepare to go to college my brother was now working in a bank and he had just bought himself a nice Nissan Sunny. I was stuck on the farm so I thought I had to quickly jump to that profession. Had it not been for my mum who admonished me and told me to stick to what I was passionate about, I would have found myself in the finance industry. I followed her advice and enrolled at Chibero.

Educational Foundations

To formalize his knowledge, Tapiwa attended Chibero Agricultural College, where he gained both theoretical insights and practical skills. Later on, a significant chapter of Tapiwa’s life unfolded when he became a beneficiary of the land reform program in 2005. This pivotal moment saw him securing a farm and that transformed his dreams into reality and solidified his commitment to agriculture. With the land now under his stewardship, Tapiwa soon discovered that significant barriers existed for farmers who wanted to secure loans for agricultural ventures as banks viewed farming as a risky business. This experience led him to recognize the systemic challenges that farmers faced, fueling his determination to find solutions, leading to the conception of Total Farms Solutions.

After studying Agriculture at Chibero. The way things, that we started to see, being challenges to farmers. So apart from the education that we got into farming, we were also farmers ourselves. During that period we managed to see the ups and downs. So because of that, we then said to ourselves since we have seen the challenges that the farmers are facing why don’t we offer solutions to farmers?

Founding Total Farms Solutions

In 2006, drawing on his insights into the difficulties encountered by farmers, Tapiwa established Total Farms Solutions with a singular motivation to help other farmers avert the impacts of the challenges similar to what he had faced on his own journey as a farmer.  Tapiwa had lost a lot of money in the ventures he had tried on the farm. At one time he planted cabbages and lost all of them due to water shortages.

It was these setbacks that underscored the need for more resilient farming solutions, ultimately leading to the introduction of greenhouses as a viable alternative that could help farmers withstand unpredictable weather conditions thus ensuring better yields and effective market preparedness. His goal was to provide effective solutions that would minimize the inherent risks of farming while maximizing returns. However, in this new journey, a unique set of challenges was waiting for him. He started by running a consultancy that in the early days would offer free services with the hope of attracting clients, but unfortunately, he was soon to realize that with no track record to back his claims, it was going to be difficult to get clients. The company went on to spend the whole year without making any sales.

We started as consultants but believe it or not in the first year we didn’t get any clients. In as much as we talked sense all over Facebook and Twitter and did a lot of work to market ourselves, no one was interested in our services even when we offered them for free.

This failure offered invaluable insights to the young company as they used this experience to pivot from offering services to providing tangible products that farmers truly needed which led to the successful introduction of greenhouses as part of their portfolio of products. Greenhouses helped them address the reputation challenges that had plagued them in their early days. This transition saw them rebranding to Agri-Access and they briefly operated under that name until 2013, when they returned to the Total Farms Solutions brand.  During this time, the company began supplying organic foliar fertilizers, with Hyfer Plus being a notable product. They also introduced steel greenhouses which significantly improved their product offering due to their marked advancement, as they required less maintenance and were standardized for efficiency.

The greenhouses proved to be a turning point, a bold move that changed everything. Business started to pick up, and for the first time, momentum was on their side. In those pivotal years, Cynthia Jera, the now Director of Operations joined the company and she helped manage the operations with unwavering determination. Her conviction was contagious, and they couldn’t imagine the future of the business without her. So, they decided to bring her on board, not just as a team member, but as a director.

In the following years, Cynthia Jera came in as a marketing person and she is now in charge of all operations in the organization. She stood firm when the company faced challenges and we decided to incorporate her into the business as a director because we didn’t want to lose her.

Innovation and Adaptation

As the agricultural market evolved, so did Tapiwa’s business model. They observed a growing demand for more affordable wooden greenhouses, which provided quicker returns on investment compared to their steel counterparts. In response, they engineered a hybrid greenhouse, combining wood and metal, which quickly gained popularity among farmers looking for cost-effective solutions.

We designed various greenhouses, the steel greenhouse being our first model, because the steel greenhouses don’t have a lot of maintenance on them. In terms of manufacturing you can manufacture everything being standard. So we standardized our operations, but along the way there was a demand for wooden greenhouses, because they were much cheaper and people could afford them. After that we then started to innovate. So we came up with a hybrid which is a combination of wood and steel bringing it to one structure.

Despite these innovations, Tapiwa acknowledged that focusing primarily on product development led to a decline in his own farming activities. However, they remained committed to supporting local farmers. Today, they lead a dedicated team of professionals who work tirelessly to empower farmers, helping them thrive despite the myriad challenges they face. Resultantly, Total Farms Solutions walked away with a Diamond award as the Leader in Agricultural Technology of the year in the MegaFest Business Leadership Awards in 2022.

Our farming side also suffered because we were paying more attention to capacitating farmers and spending more time with the farmers, so obviously our farming business suffered during the period. But this was for the greater good and we decided to focus on developing this business as it was playing a key role in empowering and capacitating farmers.

Cynthia Jera’s Inspiring Journey with Total Farms Solutions

Like many young people, Cynthia initially viewed agriculture through a lens tainted by stereotypes and societal expectations. After high school, she applied for a degree in horticulture but struggled to find her footing.                                                                            

For me, agriculture wasn’t something that I was born into, it’s something that I usually used to run away from in school, but when I passed my A level I just applied to universities, and fortunately, I got a degree in Horticulture. I was enjoying it but there was a misconception, especially among young people, that agriculture is for grown-ups.

The initial lack of job opportunities only added to her uncertainty, leading her to reconsider her path. Encouragement from her sisters became a pivotal moment in her life. They urged her to pursue a master’s degree, an experience that proved transformative.

Along the way, my sisters said I had to go back to school. When I went to do a master’s degree that was an eye-opener for me because I started seeing another different world where there are success stories in agriculture. After networking with people I saw that this is what I wanted to do.

The Rise of Passion

She soon joined Total Farms Solutions as a sales and marketing assistant a post she only got after impressing in the interview but lacked a prior background in marketing, she slowly began to recognize her potential as her love for agriculture grew. The journey was not without its challenges as she encountered rough patches that tested her resolve. Yet, it was through perseverance that she found her true calling. She had to travel around the world to find lasting solutions for agriculture. Networking with other professionals and gaining insights from industry veterans ignited a newfound drive within her. This journey catapulted her to greater heights as she brought innovations home. A few years later she was elevated to the positions of Operations Director at Total Solutions a position she holds to date. She later oversaw the opening of their new branch in Borrowdale dedicated to retailing agricultural inputs.

I was always interested with Total Farms Solutions. I even asked them if they could take me on without a salary but they had no open positions then. So when I saw the marketing post being advertised, I applied.

Her commitment to agriculture has led her to remarkable achievements, including recognition as an Outstanding Business Executive of the Year from Megafest Women’s Business Awards 2024 and Outstanding Woman in Agribusiness from the Zimbabwe CEO Network. She even garnered international recognition as an Outstanding Woman in Agriculture at the Women Change the World event in the United Kingdom.

Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture

What Total Farm Solutions represent is more than just a business venture; they are a solution to pressing challenges such as water scarcity and environmental sustainability especially when Zimbabwe is grappling with the El Nino induced drought in 2024. Cynthia’s advocacy for a green economy is a testament to her commitment to sustainable practices. By offering innovative farming solutions and promoting efficient farming techniques, she aims to empower fellow farmers and encourage a collective shift towards eco-friendly agriculture.

Right now there is an issue of climate change and it is indeed really affecting farmers. If we do not come up with solutions that help farmers a lot of people are going to be discouraged from going into farming. That is why as Total Farming Solutions we are closely looking at the trends and are investing in research to get to know the products that are being used in other countries so that we can bring them home to help our farmers improve productivity and avoid damaging the environment.

Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

The agricultural landscape in Zimbabwe is not without its obstacles and the experience that she has gathered over the years has taught her that navigating the complexities of agriculture requires both tenacity and strategic thinking. Despite the challenges faced by local farmers, including downsizing the production due to economic pressures and natural disasters such as the drought, she has remained optimistic. On the land redistribution issue, Cynthia now sees herself as an active contributor to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector without any reservations. Agriculture opened doors for our company and for me specifically, as I have gotten a place to contribute.

A Call to Action: Transforming lives through agriculture

Cynthia Jera’s journey serves as an inspiration to young people across Zimbabwe and beyond. With her story, she emphasized the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and community support in overcoming challenges. The Total Farm Solutions journey, exemplifies the power of determination and the impact of following one’s dreams, no matter how unconventional the path may seem. In a world where agriculture often struggles for recognition, this company stands as a beacon of hope.

Aiming for Expansion and Diversification

Total Solutions is now poised for expansion, with aspirations to reach regional and international markets. The company is diversifying its product offerings and aims to establish itself as a hub for agricultural solutions in the region. Tapiwa Mugabe’s vision is not just about business growth; it’s about transforming the agricultural landscape for future generations.

We want to go regional and international. We are diversifying more and more into our product ranges. We started with greenhouses now we are into retail and distribution of different solutions for nutrition, crop protection, and value addition. We are looking to be a hub for agricultural solutions.

Tapiwa Mugabe’s journey from a farm in Darwendale to becoming a leader in agricultural innovation exemplifies resilience and vision. His dedication to providing practical solutions for farmers has not only transformed his own business but also positively impacted the wider agricultural community in Zimbabwe. As he continues to forge ahead, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of one’s vision.

The best advice I can give to entrepreneurs is to just start. You just have to start. It’s a continuous journey, where we started and where we are, there are a lot of things that have happened, but the important thing is to start. You learn while moving. We want a lot of people to hear our story and we want them to take action. Our story should inspire people out there, that what is important is the vision.

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