Bolton Kudzai Kakava: Transforming Agriculture Thr...

Bolton Kudzai Kakava: Transforming Agriculture Through Expertise and Vision

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

Bolton Kudzai Kakava is an accomplished agricultural consultant whose journey is both inspiring and transformative. Born in Harare at Glen View 1 Maternity Clinic, Kakava's early life was marked by constant movement and adaptation.

He began his education at Shirley Hornby in Redcliff, an iron and steel town near Kwekwe, where he attended preschool. His primary school years took him from Redcliff Primary to Glen View 3 Primary in Harare, before settling at Tamuka Primary School in Chitungwiza’s Unit N—an area he calls home for over 14 years. Reflecting on this period, Kakava often credits the resilience and adaptability gained from these experiences as crucial to his success.

Kakava completed his secondary education at Churchill Boys High School, laying the foundation for his academic excellence. Motivated by a passion for agriculture, he pursued a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Agriculture (Soil Science) at the University of Zimbabwe from 2014 to 2017.

Eager to deepen his knowledge and make a broader impact, Kakava earned a Master of Science in Crop Science (Agronomy) in 2018 from the same institution.

Today, Kakava is an expert in agricultural regulations, food safety, and sustainability standards. His expertise spans a range of areas including crop production, food hygiene, and irrigation management. He is well-versed in international standards like GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS, and Rainforest Alliance.

Reflecting on the high unemployment rate in Zimbabwe, where many graduates struggle to find jobs for over a year, Kakava found his calling in agricultural consultancy. His interest was sparked during an educational visit to Selby Enterprises packhouse, where he witnessed the excellence of compliance systems firsthand.

"That experience ignited my desire to help farmers meet global standards,” Kakava recalls.

Kakava’s work is transforming Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. He helps farmers navigate the often-daunting maze of regulatory and voluntary standards, such as GLOBALG.A.P. and the USDA National Organic Program, while connecting them to export markets.

His services extend beyond compliance, offering advisory and training on crop production, plant nutrition, and integrated pest management.

However, Kakava acknowledges the significant challenges Zimbabwean farmers face, including high certification costs, knowledge gaps, price volatility, and logistical difficulties arising from the country’s landlocked position. He also points to the exploitative practices of unscrupulous middlemen.

Despite these obstacles, Kakava remains optimistic. He stresses the importance of training and capacity building to empower farmers.

“Training is not just about compliance; it’s about empowering farmers to produce high-quality, competitive products,” he says. Kakava takes a hands-on approach, assisting farmers with documentation, quality control, and connecting them with stakeholders who provide market insights.

One of Kakava’s guiding philosophies is the integration of science-driven plant nutrition and robust soil biology to enhance yields and reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides.

“These technologies, if properly utilized, have the potential to revolutionize agriculture,” he says with passion. His efforts have already produced remarkable results.

Through COLEAD’s Fit For Market Plus program, Kakava provided technical support to help smallholder farmers and horticultural MSMEs meet GLOBALG.A.P. standards for international markets.

His collaborations with organizations like DNV Business Assurance Africa and ZimTrade have extended his impact, including facilitating certification for smallholders in Beitbridge’s Shashe Irrigation Scheme and supporting cooperatives like Mushamukuru Takashinga Agricultural Limited Society in securing loans and technical assistance.

Kakava’s vision for Zimbabwe’s agricultural future is both bold and achievable. He advocates for collaboration among government authorities, the private sector, farmer associations, academia, researchers, and NGOs.

“The future is bright, but it requires all stakeholders to come together,” he emphasizes.

Kakava envisions a thriving agricultural sector where even the most marginalized smallholder farmers can access international markets and meet global standards.

“I see myself continuing to assist these often-underestimated farmers in unlocking their potential and improving their livelihoods.”

Through his dedication, expertise, and unwavering belief in the potential of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, Bolton Kudzai Kakava is not only making a name for himself but also reshaping the future of farming in Zimbabwe. .