IF YOU PLANT THE SEED NOW, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE READY FOR CONSUMPTION, AND WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED ESSENTIALS?

If you plant the seed now, how long does it take to be ready for consumption, and what does it require? 

Similarly, how long does it take for a dream to come true, and what does it take?

......from the fields of Makora Rural Community, straight to your table. It's a story of hard work, persistence and faith. It's more than just peanut butter: rather a committed journey towards a healthier community and planet. 

In Makora rural community, village farmers/rural small holder farmers plant and grow their groundnuts. Once at harvesting period, the middlemen buyers (makoronyera) are already in the village, ready to buy and transport these unshelled groundnuts 260+ KM to Mbare Musika where they resell at a better profitable price.

Fast forward, the peanut butter finally reaches various shelves and maybe straight to consumers' table. The majority consumers do not know or really care how the groundnuts were grown, processed and distributed. Even though the groundnuts producers are mainly in villages, rural local retailers also travel to wholesalers in Harare in order to purchase the processed nuts - which is now peanut butter neatly packaged in well branded containers. The taste is always very different from locally made/home made peanut butter...

Have you ever asked why and/how? 

At Villa Farm Enterprise, we believe that rural farmers can also control the food systems - from production to consumption. They should have a voice at the decision making table. They know the best variety; how to grow and process it. All of us have to support and invest in these people - ensuring that they have the right knowledge, skills and tools to promote value addition of their local produce. Makora Peanut Butter is one successful story of rural young farmers in Mutoko who envision enhanced rural livelihoods through sustainable food systems and sovereignty Rumbidzai V Kusemwa Raphuel Kusemwa 

#ruralfarmers: both the young and the old - they are the backbone of #sustainablefoodsystems 

Advice to young farmers: 

If you plant the seed, nurture it the right way, be patient and consistent. The journey is comprised of multiple processes, including set backs. If you want nutritious food on the table, just like a farmer - don't loose hope, don't quit. The food system is a vast network of activities and as young people, we are the key actors in transforming this vast network. Entrepreneurship is one vital tool......