In the heart of Ward 17, Pumula North, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Deep Plough Agricultural Cooperative Society Limited is revolutionizing agriculture with an innovative solution: solar dryers. Since our founding in November 2024, we’ve been committed to empowering farmers and building sustainable communities. Our solar dryers are at the forefront of this mission, helping smallholder farmers turn fresh produce into high-value, long-lasting products that boost incomes and ensure food security.
Solar dryers use Zimbabwe’s abundant sunlight to preserve fruits, vegetables, and herbs without electricity or chemical additives. By harnessing solar energy to heat and circulate air, our dryers remove moisture from crops like tomatoes, apples, and leafy greens, extending shelf life while maintaining nutritional value. For farmers in Pumula North, this means less food waste—previously, up to 30% of harvests were lost due to spoilage—and more opportunities to sell dried products year-round, even in off-seasons.
Take Sarah, a local farmer and Deep Plough member, as an example. Before using our solar dryers, she struggled to sell her surplus tomatoes before they spoiled. Now, with a Deep Plough solar dryer, she dries 100 kilograms of tomatoes weekly, creating shelf-stable products that fetch premium prices in Bulawayo markets. This has increased her income by 25% in just six months, aligning with our goal to boost member incomes by 20% over five years. Stories like Sarah’s show how solar dryers are transforming livelihoods in our community.
Our solar dryers, manufactured by our cooperative, are designed for efficiency and affordability. With a 900-liter capacity and features like stackable trays and optimized airflow, they are ideal for small-scale farmers and cooperatives. We’ve distributed 50 dryers to date, empowering 200 farmers to process their crops sustainably. Our training programs, reaching 500 members annually, teach farmers like Sarah how to operate these dryers and market their dried goods, fostering skills and independence.
This work earned Deep Plough the Certificate of Excellence for Sustainable Development Goal Award at the Bulawayo Business Awards on May 24, 2025, attended by Hon. Judith Ncube, Hon. Raji Modi, Hon. Albert T. Mavhunga, and Mr. Bekezela Moyo. The award recognizes our commitment to sustainability, a core value that drives our mission. Our success in Zimtrade’s inaugural Eagles Nest Pitching Program further positions us to export dried products, connecting Pumula North farmers to global markets.
By reducing reliance on costly electricity and preserving crops naturally, our solar dryers align with our vision to be Africa’s most innovative agricultural cooperative. They also support our goal to increase agricultural productivity by 15% over five years, ensuring food security and economic growth. Partnerships with Lupane State University and the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association strengthen our efforts, providing training and market access to amplify our impact.
Support Our Mission
You can support this transformation. Your donations help us distribute more solar dryers and train more farmers. Contribute via POSB, Account Name: Deep Plough Agriculture Cooperative Society, Account Numbers: 500008847666 (USD) or 500008847658 (ZWG), Branch: Bulawayo Main, or donate seeds, fertilizers, or tools. Contact us at deepploughcoop@gmail.com, or reach Chairperson Muziwanele Ncube (+263776724237) or Treasurer Solicitor Gashu (+263774673306).
Join Our Journey
Join Deep Plough in cultivating a sustainable future. Follow our blog for more stories of farmers thriving with solar dryers in Pumula North!
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