Forget Shareka is an influential entrepreneur and the founder of Chashi Foods. Since its inception in 2019, Chashi Foods has advocated a green economy in Zimbabwe. They are committed to reducing food loss using smart, energy-efficient processing to conserve energy and minimise residue waste.
Over the past six years, Shareka has made significant strides in improving food security and positively influencing the lives of small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe. She is dedicated to narrowing the divide between traditional rural farming practices and modern agriculture to help farmers boost their yields while protecting the environment.
Forget Shareka is an agronomic engineer and award-winning entrepreneur. She is also a farmer and environmental management professional. She is passionate about building sustainable food systems, empowering women and youth, and improving her community.
Shareka’s life began in a rural village in Zimbabwe. She lost her mother when she was only seven years old and went to live with her 86-year-old grandmother. Her grandmother, a farmer, raised her on a farm in Mushumbi Pools, the northern part of Zimbabwe. Soon, she became exposed to the daily struggles that local farmers faced. She witnessed how they grappled with low yields, limited resources, and the detrimental impacts of climate change.
That was when she learned to value farmers’ hard work. She developed a deep connection with the land and aimed to enhance agricultural practices by establishing a sustainable business providing opportunities for small-scale farmers to thrive.
The Vision of Chashi Foods
Shareka was inspired to start Chashi Foods by observing Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. She noticed that many farmers, especially women, were engaged in subsistence farming without access to markets or modern farming techniques. With the proper support, these farmers could provide for their families and contribute to the country’s food security.
In 2019, Shareka and her colleagues founded Chashi Foods to establish an environmentally friendly business and connect small-scale farmers with the resources and knowledge they needed to improve their yields.
How Chashi Foods is impacting smallholder farmers
Chashi Foods specialises in natural, dried foods. Their product range includes dried tomatoes, apples, bananas, papayas, pineapples, and various herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, and garlic. The business has actively promoted sustainable agriculture by educating farmers on methods to reduce environmental degradation. They provide training on crop rotation, organic farming, and water conservation.
The business focuses on education and offers a variety of products and services to assist farmers and consumers. These include organic grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and eco-friendly food items obtained directly from small-scale farmers. Its fair trade practices support rural farmers in Zimbabwe and help minimize post-harvest losses.
The company also provides advice and guidance for farmers transitioning to more sustainable agricultural practices. Through these efforts, they have established themselves as key leaders in Zimbabwe’s agriculture. Their work improves the environment and enhances the lives of local farmers.
Milestones and Global Expansion
One of Shareka’s notable milestones is the successful training of over 100 small-scale farmers in post-harvest management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. This helped reduce over 5 tons of agricultural produce from being lost during that time. Over time, they have built partnerships in four countries: Costa Rica, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
Shareka has given many women financial independence to support their families and contribute to their communities. She supports gender equality in agriculture, improves food security in Zimbabwe, and teaches farmers how to grow crops more sustainably.
Through her efforts, she has helped reduce hunger and poverty in the regions where Chashi Foods operates. The company has also collaborated with organizations like CAMFED to expand its market reach, allowing more farmers to access national and regional markets. This collaboration has strengthened community bonds as farmers in her region now collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other. Her vision for Chashi Food is to become a leading brand in preserved food products in Sub-Saharan Africa.
