Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo Shangwa’s story

Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo Shangwa, widely known as Hunter, is the Executive President and Founder of Farmer’s Pride International (FPI), an organization dedicated to transforming food systems through sustainable and holistic approaches1. His journey in agriculture began with a small youth farming group within the New Hope Foundation Zimbabwe in 2000, which later evolved into an international NGO, the New Hope Foundation Global Network2.

In 2013, Shangwa developed the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP) and a 9-year agriculture strategy focusing on rural and urban development. This strategy aims to empower youth and women economically, promoting agrifood production and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals2.

Shangwa’s vision for African agriculture is rooted in agroecology, sustainable agricultural development, and economic growth. He champions the RUAIPP, which involves youth and women in the agriculture value chain, offering training, capacity building, gender empowerment, technology integration, and skills in value chain development1.

Under his leadership, FPI has grown from a Zimbabwe-founded NGO to an organization with a presence in over 45 countries across seven continents. The organization focuses on high-value crops like potatoes, rice, wheat, sunflower, white sesame seeds, Moringa, etc., with an initial focus on potatoes1.

Shangwa’s commitment to African agriculture is evident in his efforts to connect Africa’s rural and urban farming communities to global markets and sustainable farming techniques. His work includes establishing robust market linkages and knowledge-based agriculture initiatives, such as field and on-farm skills schools that serve as platforms for knowledge exchange2.

Through Farmer’s Pride International, Shangwa continues to drive initiatives that bring sustainable solutions to global food shortages, promote agri-food production activities, and implement an African agribusiness model using an Agriculture Based Cluster model of Farming (ABCs). This model aims to produce significant yields with fewer resources, bringing substantial income to farming communities at harvest2.

Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo Shangwa’s story is one of innovation, dedication, and a deep-seated desire to improve the livelihoods of farmers in Africa and beyond, making a lasting impact on the continent’s agricultural landscape.