Forget, who graduated from Edinburgh in 2021 with a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is the founder of Chashi Foods, a company that through fair trade practices supports rural farmers in Zimbabwe by helping to reduce post-harvest losses. She's also a farmer, vibrant agronomic engineer, award-winning entrepreneur, sustainability professional - and now our 2024 Being Edinburgh, an award that recognises the impact of our global alumni community.
Enlightened spoke to Forget to learn more about what it takes to build a successful, environmentally-conscious business, and how it feels to win the alumni award.
Enlightened: Firstly, congratulations, Forget! How does it feel to be named our 2024 Being Edinburgh award winner?
Forget: Thank you! I feel overwhelmed with joy, and so appreciated. I feel honored. This means a lot - not only to me but to where I come from and the many girls who will look up to this. It also means a lot to everyone who has contributed to my success, who has held my hand through this journey. So I'm so humbled.
This award is about motivating others, that every single small thing you do builds up to a bigger thing. It's not going to happen in one day, it will take time, and then the right people will appreciate you.
Above: video interview with Forget after receiving the Being Edinburgh award in April 2024.
E: You were nominated for the award partly due to the success of your company Chashi Foods in your native Zimbabwe. Can you tell us more about it?
F: Can you believe that 40% of the food produced in Zimbabwe every year goes into waste and landfills? Not only is that a lot of waste but think of the financial opportunities of selling this food that is being missed by the country's farmers. That's the challenge that I wanted to address by founding Chashi Foods. It's a socially and environmentally conscious enterprise. We're committed to reducing post-harvest and food waste in sub-Saharan Africa through leveraging agro-processing, innovation, and technology.
The company produces 100% natural and healthy dried fruit snacks and vegetables using produce salvaged from post-harvest waste and renewable energy drying technology. Our products include everything from dried bananas and pineapples to spices and roasted nuts. The aim is to get these onto the shelves in large supermarkets and retail outlets. We do this by using fair trade practices and sourcing raw materials directly from rural smallholders and family farmers with no access to these big markets. With that, we're reducing post-harvest losses, increasing the farmers' per capita income, while also reducing the environmental impact associated with food decay.
E: What inspired you to start your company?
F: I grew up on a farm in Mushumbi Pools, in the northern part of Zimbabwe. My late grandmother's ethos was rooted in subsistence farming and I was inspired by her guidance. I developed a deep passion for sustainable farming, agribusiness and solving food system challenges, as well as allowing women in these areas to flourish. My grandmother had great strength and a progressive spirit. I wanted to emulate that. And with seeing the challenges that small-holder farmers face every day, I channeled my own strength into my education and developing knowledge to tackle food waste through agro-processing.
FYI: Agro-processing allows farmers to command higher prices for their products by adding value through processing. For example, raw cocoa beans can be processed into chocolate, shea nuts into shea butter, and maize into flour.
Growing up as a farmer, I witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of inadequate cold-storage infrastructure for agricultural produce, post-harvest losses, and unreliable markets for fruits and vegetables. These issues not only impact income generation but also threaten food security, waste precious resources that go into farming, and contribute to global crises such as hunger, poverty, and climate change. I was determined to make a difference, so I chose a path in sustainable agribusiness and now strive to empower my fellow youth and women in the industry, striving for positive change.
E: How would you describe the ethos behind Chashi Foods?
F: Chashi Foods is a business for good with people and the planet at heart. We believe in shared prosperity and shared value; thus, we are committed to empowering women and smallholder farmers. By focusing on shared prosperity and empowerment, we are not only supporting them but also making significant contributions to their families and communities, while contributing to gender equality and sustainable development in agriculture. Additionally, through training, we enhance their skills, increasing productivity and accessing new opportunities. The network connections provide them with access to resources, information, and markets, thereby expanding their opportunities for growth and success. In addition, networking opportunities have enabled them to learn from other experienced farmers, exchange ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that can collectively benefit them all as a community.
E: Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey.
F: My father was an entrepreneur in the mining sector and a couple of my cousins and brothers run their own small business. It has been five years of entrepreneurial exploration, from social causes to a profit-driven venture, resulting in an enlightening, growth-driven, and self-development journey. Many sleepless nights were spent, so many sacrifices were made, and so many times the adventure brought me headaches and tears of joy—a mixture of everything. Eventually, I got the essence of it: with undying determination, high spirit, passion, grit, resilience, adaptability, and flexibility, I discovered the secret formula for success. Failure become a steppingstone, adversity fuels our strength, and passion keeps us going. Grit instills an unyielding "I can do it" mindset, while flexibility lets us scale mountains with joy.
E: What gives you the most satisfaction from being an entrepreneur?
F: As an entrepreneur, there's nothing more exhilarating than tackling real-world challenges head-on. It's the thrill of problem-solving that ignites my creativity and fuels my desire to make a meaningful impact and a difference in my community. Building something from scratch and turning a vision into reality gives me an indescribable sense of purpose. Yet, I am not alone on this journey; social interactions with fellow entrepreneurs, family and friends, community mentors, and customers enrich my experience every day. Through these connections, I learn, adapt, and grow, both personally and professionally. Entrepreneurship, for me, is a dynamic blend of creativity, problem-solving, meaningful impact, social bonds, and continuous self-improvement. It's a path that not only fulfills me but also propels me forward with unwavering passion and determination.
E: What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
F: I dream every day of seeing Chashi Foods flourishing, with a vision that extends far beyond Africa's borders and the realms of agriculture. My hope is to see us reach new heights, leaving a lasting legacy that benefits both humanity and our precious planet.
E: Your business is driven by a desire to support women living and working in agricultural settings. What advice would you give to other women looking into developing a start-up business?
F: Dare to do it. Don't be scared to pursue your dreams and your life's purpose. I'm not saying that everything will be rosy; it will be a journey that's both smooth and rough. You will not do it alone, so make it a habit to surround yourself with people who inspire, encourage and cheer you on in all your endeavours. You don't know it all, so don't hesitate to reach out for help. Asking increases knowledge. A company or organisation is not built by one person; get yourself a good team with a blend of skills to complement yours. In whatever business idea you are going to work on, please strive to solve a real-world challenge that people face. Any product or service that relieves people's pain and enhances their everyday lives and experiences will always have customers.
E: Finally, you're also the Founder of LiHFA (Life Hope Future Association), which supports women and youth to achieve sustainable community development through education and agribusiness. Can you tell us more about that?
F: Women and girls are highly and disproportionately affected by environmental problems, including climate change. Hence, the call for a strong commitment to empower women and equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to develop climate solutions and advance sustainable development is important.
When equipped with education, training, and access to financial resources and technology, women and girls can be powerful leaders of change. Women are already helping their communities to build climate resilience and the shift to climate-smart livelihoods and green businesses. We need to also empower them to speak up for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
How can we achieve gender equality for a sustainable future? First, we must realise the importance of gender, social inclusion, and equity in climate action. Gender equality and sustainability go together. Thus, we need to integrate the two through investment in girls’ education, involving them meaningfully in policy and decision-making, and recognising their contributions towards development.
All opinions expressed are those of the individuals being quoted and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
Being Edinburgh, the alumni award
Our annual alumni award is about a desire to know more about individuals whose lives and achievements should be shared and celebrated. People who are making a difference in ways that aren't always visible, but whose actions positively affect others. Find out more on the Being Edinburgh website.
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