Wadana Agro-Consultancy: Zimbabwe’s Youth-Driven...

Wadana Agro-Consultancy: Zimbabwe’s Youth-Driven Agribusiness Revolution

Witness Runodada

Zim Now Reporter

Ashley Nyaruwanga, a young visionary from Zimbabwe, has transformed a casual interest in videography into a thriving agribusiness venture. As the co-founder and CEO of Wadana Agro-Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Nyaruwanga leads a team leveraging social media to inspire Zimbabweans to explore opportunities in agriculture. What began as a YouTube show has evolved into a dynamic company with a mission to reshape how agriculture is understood and pursued by the country's youth.

In 2021, Nyaruwanga received a life-changing gift—a camera from one of his mentors. What began as a hobby in photography and videography soon became a means to merge his skills with his growing passion for agriculture, a passion nurtured during his school attachment period. Self-taught through YouTube tutorials, Nyaruwanga saw the potential to use his camera to share valuable agricultural information with a wider audience. Motivated by this vision, he reached out to friends in various agricultural fields with an idea: to create a show highlighting Zimbabwe's agricultural potential and encouraging more people to explore agribusiness.

Nyaruwanga and his peers, hailing from diverse fields like Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science, and Agricultural Economics, combined their expertise to create Farming_263, a YouTube show dedicated to showcasing Zimbabwe's agricultural sector. The show quickly gained popularity for its relatable storytelling and practical farming insights. This success inspired the team to formalize their efforts by registering as a company. However, due to a naming conflict, they rebranded as “Wadana,” a name derived from a blend of the founders’ names.

Today, Farming_263 operates under Wadana Agro-Consultancy Pvt Ltd, serving as a platform to tell the stories of Zimbabwean farmers. Wadana’s mission is to bring agriculture into the digital age, using social media to connect with audiences, educate aspiring farmers, and help established farmers access new markets. Through on-site farm visits and in-depth interviews, the show provides insights into the motivations and methods of local farmers. In doing so, it not only inspires new farmers but also supports seasoned ones by introducing their products to broader audiences, including potential buyers of agricultural goods.

Despite its success, Wadana Agro-Consultancy's journey has not been without challenges. The team started with little to no funding, relying solely on the resources they had. Convincing people to work without immediate pay was difficult, as many were accustomed to the stability of traditional employment. While some early team members left in pursuit of stable income, Nyaruwanga’s unwavering determination kept the project alive. Over time, the venture gained traction and began generating revenue, validating his persistence and the team’s dedication.

Currently, Wadana Agro-Consultancy is led by six directors: Ashley Nyaruwanga, Wadditon Tsoka, Deidre Mugadza, Raviro V. Mayoyo, Audrey Shamuyarira, and Natasha T. Chinhuru. Although the team has not yet expanded beyond this core group, they plan to grow as they take on larger projects requiring additional support. Their work involves traveling across Zimbabwe to capture stories from farmers in various regions, from small-scale growers to large commercial ventures, creating a comprehensive digital archive of Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape.

Wadana Agro-Consultancy aspires to inspire even more youth to view agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path. As they expand, the company remains committed to fostering an entrepreneurial culture in agribusiness. By bridging the gap between rural farmers and urban audiences, the Wadana team is proving that agriculture is not just viable but a field where passion, innovation, and technology can flourish.