- Category
- Harvest of Hope
- Where
- Binga campus
- Planned dates
- 3 Jan 2027 to 3 Mar 2028
- People who benefit
- 60
- Funding sought
- USD 105,050
- Raised so far
- USD 0 (0%)
- Project owner
- Takura Trust
Overview
A small processing unit with drying, grinding, packing and cold storage that turns farm produce into products worth more and lasts longer.
Agro-processing turns surplus fruit, vegetables and grain into dried, packed and milled products. This project builds the unit, trains workers and links products to markets, adding value and jobs.
Proposal
1. Executive summary
The Agro-processing and Cold Chain project builds a small food-processing unit with solar dryers, a mill, packing lines and cold storage. It turns surplus produce from Harvest of Hope and neighbouring smallholders into products that earn more and last longer, creates jobs for graduates and gives Academy learners a food business to train in.
2. Background and need
Fresh produce spoils quickly in hot weather and is sold cheaply at harvest. Processing adds value, spreads sales across the year and creates skilled jobs, but small farms in Binga cannot afford the equipment.
3. Problem statement
Surplus crops are wasted or sold at low prices, and farmers have no way to store or process them. There are few local jobs in food processing.
4. Goal and objectives
Goal: farm produce earns more and creates local jobs.
Objectives: (1) a processing unit with drying, milling, packing and cold storage; (2) process 150 tonnes of produce a year; (3) 20 jobs for graduates and local people; (4) products on sale in shops and supermarkets.
5. Who will benefit
About 60 smallholders who sell to the unit, 20 workers and learners, and customers who buy safe, local products.
6. Approach and activities
We build and equip the unit to food-safety standards, train staff, develop products with local buyers, and obtain the required licences and labelling. The unit buys from BICA and neighbours at fair prices and sells under a BICA label.
7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning
Progress is measured against the indicators in the results framework. The project manager keeps a monthly record of activities, spending and results, and reviews it with the Director. Baseline figures are taken in the first month, and the same measures are repeated at the mid-point and at completion. Beneficiaries are asked for their views at least twice a year, and what they say changes the plan.
A short evaluation by someone independent of BICA is carried out at the end, and its findings, including what did not work, are shared with the funder and published on this website.
8. Sustainability and exit
Sales cover the cost of raw materials, wages, energy and maintenance. A share of profit goes into care programmes, and the unit is run as a RootWorks business.
9. BICA capacity and governance
BICA, the Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture, is an institution of Takura Trust, which owns the project and holds it to account. The Trust's board provides oversight, approves budgets and receives quarterly progress and financial reports. On site, the Director leads heads of care, agriculture, the Academy, enterprise, finance and partnerships, with a safeguarding and monitoring officer. A Clinical and Recovery Advisory Panel reviews care protocols and outcomes.
Funds given for this project are restricted: they are recorded in a separate project ledger, spent only against the approved budget, supported by quotations and receipts, and open to independent audit. Funders receive a narrative and financial report each quarter and a final report at completion.
10. Safeguarding and risk management
Everyone who works or volunteers on this project is vetted and signs the BICA safeguarding policy before starting. There is a named safeguarding officer, a confidential way to raise concerns, and a duty to report to the police and the Department of Social Development where required. Children, young mothers and elders are never left alone with an unvetted adult.
The main project risks are listed in the risk register with the action we will take and the person responsible. Risks are reviewed monthly by the project manager and quarterly by the Trust board.
Work plan
Phases
| Phase | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Design and procurement | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Apr 2027 |
| Construction and installation | 3 Apr 2027 | 2 Oct 2027 |
| Training and launch | 3 Oct 2027 | 2 Mar 2028 |
Tasks
| Task | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Design and food-safety plan | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Apr 2027 |
| Building completed | 3 Apr 2027 | 2 Aug 2027 |
| Equipment installed and tested | 3 Jul 2027 | 2 Oct 2027 |
| Staff training and trial runs | 3 Oct 2027 | 2 Dec 2027 |
| Products on shelves | 3 Dec 2027 | 2 Mar 2028 |
Milestones
| Milestone | Due | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Unit complete | 3 Aug 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| First products on sale | 3 Dec 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| Final report and review | 3 Mar 2028 | Signed report with photographs |
Budget
| Item | Unit | Qty | Unit cost | Total | Requested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building | 36,000.00 | ||||
| Processing unit and storage | lot | 1 | 36,000.00 | 36,000.00 | 36,000.00 |
| Compliance and market | 5,400.00 | ||||
| Licences, laboratory tests, labels and branding | lot | 1 | 5,400.00 | 5,400.00 | 5,400.00 |
| Equipment | 43,900.00 | ||||
| Solar dryers | unit | 4 | 3,400.00 | 13,600.00 | 13,600.00 |
| Mill, packing and sealing line | lot | 1 | 17,500.00 | 17,500.00 | 17,500.00 |
| Cold storage and food-grade fittings | lot | 1 | 12,800.00 | 12,800.00 | 12,800.00 |
| Management | 6,300.00 | ||||
| Project coordination and reporting | month | 14 | 450.00 | 6,300.00 | 3,150.00 |
| Monitoring | 2,800.00 | ||||
| Evaluation and audit | lot | 1 | 2,800.00 | 2,800.00 | 2,800.00 |
| Power and water | 9,600.00 | ||||
| Solar power and water for the unit | lot | 1 | 9,600.00 | 9,600.00 | 9,600.00 |
| Training | 4,200.00 | ||||
| Staff and learner training | lot | 1 | 4,200.00 | 4,200.00 | 4,200.00 |
| Total budget (USD) | 108,200.00 | 105,050.00 | |||
Requested from the funder: USD 105,050 (97%). BICA and partners contribute USD 3,150.
When the funds are needed
| Quarter of the project | Requested (USD) |
|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 3,150.00 |
| Quarter 2 | 45,600.00 |
| Quarter 3 | 53,500.00 |
| Quarter 4 | 2,800.00 |
Results and risks
Results framework
| Level | Result | Indicator | Now | Target | How we check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Farm produce earns more and creates local jobs | Income from processed products per year | 0 | USD 90,000 | Sales records |
| Outcome | Surplus is processed, not wasted | Tonnes processed per year | 0 | 150 | Production records |
| Output | Processing unit built and licensed | Licensed and working | No | Yes | Licence and completion certificate |
| Output | Jobs created | Workers employed | 0 | 20 | Payroll |
Risks and what we will do
| Risk | Score | What we will do |
|---|---|---|
| Supply is irregular | 9 | Contracts with smallholders and storage. |
| Power cuts | 9 | Solar power and battery backup. |
| Products do not meet food-safety rules | 8 | Train staff, test regularly and use a licensed adviser. |
Funding and owner
Project owner
- Owner
- Takura Trust
- Implemented by
- Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture (BICA)
- info@bica.org.zw
- Telephone
- +263774114107
- Address
- Binga District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
Every funder receives a progress and financial report each quarter. Funds are restricted to this project and tracked in a separate ledger.
Support this project
Write to us to receive the full proposal, ask a question, visit the campus, or tell us how you would like to help. A reply comes from Takura Trust and BICA within two working days.
Prefer to speak? Call +263774114107 or email info@bica.org.zw.