Profeeds & Aquafeeds CSR
Strategic Approach
Profeeds is Zimbabwe’s premier stock feed manufacturer, offering highly sought-after feeding programmes to both commercial and small-scale farmers. Over the years, the company has developed into Zimbabwe’s foremost broiler and livestock feed producer.
Kukura potato seed distributed through Profarmer network to small-scale producers
Agronomy
Profeeds has, over the past five years, evolved its feed outlets into a vibrant one-stop farm shop ‘Profarmer’ to meet region specific farming needs.
Profeeds’ fair pricing policies have allowed farmers located far from cities to benefit from logistical economies of scale, enabling them to become low-cost producers and enhancing their market competitiveness.
The company during the year, further enhanced its technical expertise by hiring a team of four agronomists (one female and three males) based in sales regions, who are easily accessible to local farmers and assist farmers with climate smart agriculture practices. The agronomists offer free advice on best seasonal crops to plant in the region, visit farms, facilitaties of soil tests, planting and monitoring crop progress among other services.
This has resulted in stepped growth in fertiliser, agrochemical and seed sales and was a welcome development that was well received in local communities as they navigated through the farming challenges presented b the El Niño induced drought.
Our Community
Profeeds invests in community development through its Profarmer Retail platform with a commitment to inspire, empower and uplift farmers and their communities by providing comprehensive sustainable animal husbandry and agricultural training.
Community Development Initiatives
With 57 shops across the country, Profeeds has been responding to the needs of its customers in the various communities in Zimbabwe and has evolved into ‘Profarmer the feed and farm professionals’. Profeeds provides the Zimbabwean farming community with free access to skilled veterinary doctors, nurses, animal scientists, animal nutritionists, aqua culturalists, and agronomists who train farmers in their preferred fields of interest.
Trainings conducted include specialised education in aquaculture, highlighted by the company’s participation in the Fish for Pensioners launch in Harare, a Ministry of Agriculture initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods of retirees and vulnerable groups.
Image: Doctor Garikai Marutsi from Profeeds handing over fish feed donation to a representative from the Department of Fisheries
Field and Training Days: Profeeds experts participates in trainings and events that are designed to equip farmers with essential knowledge and best practices for maintaining and improving the health of all livestock.
Bulawayo Animal Health Training
The training introduced participants to a range of animal health topics, including disease prevention, proper nutrition, vaccination schedules, and general livestock care. The training aimed to empower farmers with practical skills that can enhance productivity and reduce losses due to preventable diseases.
Supporting Education and Innovations Profarmer Schools Garden Project
At the start of 2024, Profarmer agronomists extended horticulture training programmes to schools with a focus on equipping learners and teachers with sustainable long-term school gardens, under the Profarmer Schools Garden Project.
Profeeds very first school garden project at Masiyepambili Primary School
Profarmer has trained a total of 778 learners (430 girls and 348 boys) from grades 5 to 7 in primary schools and Forms 1 to 6 in high schools have participated during the year. A total of 65 staff members have been involved in the project.
This initiative is ongoing and has provided seed, fertiliser packs and some cases drip kits for horticulture projects, with Profarmer agronomists providing essentials on the field training across Zimbabwe. The project encompasses both primary and high schools planting a diverse range of vegetables such as covo kale, tomatoes, cabbage, cucumber, okra, carrots, and lettuce.
Educational and Practical Benefits
- Hands-On Learning: The programme offers comprehensive training on land preparation, water-wise and soil conservation techniques, and crop management, including seasonal vegetable seed/seedling care, fertiliser, and pesticide management. Expert guidance from Profarmer technical experts ensures students gain practical skills essential for their future farming endeavours.
Other initiatives supporting Educational Institutions across Zimbabwe:
- Schools that received potato seed donations and training Chinhoyi University of Technology, Nyashanu Mission School (Buhera), Dzingire High School, and Dzingire Primary School.
- Schools that received prize-giving donations: Regina Mundi Convent Primary School, Lendy Park Primary School, Hillcrest International, Esigodini Agricultural College, Chinhoyi High School, Marist Brother School, Lupane State University, and Top-Quality Junior School Mazowe.
Mentoring and Career Guidance for STEM learners
Profeeds technical staff have been invited to schools to provide guidance to science students on career paths in their field.
5th harvest at Chipindura High School, Bindura. June 2024
Portia Murima’s Story
In 2015 we secured a piece of land in Chegutu. The intention was to delve into horticulture but we realised that there was inadequate water in such a hot area. After a couple of years of poor harvests we decided to try other areas of farming. On the advice of friends, we decided to try non-perishable goods without a high-water demand and eggs seemed a logical route to take.
Thus, we took time to visit a few egg farms to understand the requirements, in terms of funding, equipment and expertise to start a project. It took time to raise resources for the poultry house, equipment, and chicks but eventually started in 2023. So, with a team of four workers we started off with 3 000 birds. Through Profeeds we received technical support for the rearing of the birds and utilised the Profeeds facility for feed. It has been a learning process particularly on the markets. We are planning to grow the flock, and are grateful for support we have received from Profeeds, and we look forward to more support as we expand.
Animal Welfare Initiatives
Profeeds remains committed to animal welfare through feed and cash support to its longstanding partners in the animal welfare fraternity.
Healing with Horses Impact
In F2024, Profeeds assisted with the retooling of the farm and continues to support the organisation through discounted horse feed.
Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ)
Profeeds’ annual partnership of USD10 000 with Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ) supported five sterilisation and vaccination campaigns in Bikita, Masvingo, Chimanimani, Zvishavane, and Mberengwa spaying and neutering of 116 animals and the vaccination of 1 241 animals against rabies.
The partnership also enabled the treatment of various “walk-in” cases, such as cleaning and stitching open wounds, addressing ocular conditions, and providing care for emaciated animals, especially malnourished dogs and puppies. Several animals were diagnosed and treated for Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT), with sterilisation and chemotherapy provided. Additionally, internal and external parasite treatments were offered, with dips administered for animals suffering from severe tick infestations.
Human Capital Development and Employee Initiatives
Profeeds continues to prioritise the development of its employees, offering various training programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing skills and building future leaders.
Graduate Trainee, Attachee, and Apprentice Programme: Students in engineering, milling, quality control, and electrical power engineering participated in on-the-job training programmes to gain valuable work experience.
TOPP Programme: 11 staff members in the accounts department are receiving support from the company to complete the IAL-managed TOPP programme.
Retirement Support
In F2024, 37 retirees (35 men and 2 women) attended Retirement Support sessions provided by Providence Human Capital, which covered financial planning, emotional well-being, health and wellness, and personal growth, ensuring a smooth transition into retirement.
From left to right – Nicholas Denhere (Electrician) & Gibson Maxen (Assistant Mechanic)
In F2024, Profeeds installed a digital power factor system that monitors and corrects the power factor in electrical systems to enhance energy efficiency. By ensuring effective power use, the system reduces energy losses and lowers costs.This system resulted in the reduction of electricity usage for F2024 by 42%
Climate Smart Farming
In light of the El Niño drought, Profarmer increased its product range to support farmers and communities across the country.
The company facilitated the delivery of water tanks to communities around Zimbabwe with fair and equitable pricing in all locations to enable measured use of water during the drought.
The company introduced the sale of affordable drip kits for better management of water for farming.
In January 2024, the technical team visited the Tuli-Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda. The visit aimed to promote climate-smart agriculture and strengthen relationships with Agritex officers and saw 180 farmers benefiting from the interactions.
National tree planting day - Chipangura Secondary School.
Profeeds’ participated in the National Tree Planting Day at Chipangura Secondary School in Guruve District. Supporting the planting of the indigenous Muunga (Fever Acacia) tree, this reinforces the company’s dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reforestation efforts.
Recycling
Profeeds launched a recycling initiative that repurposes used bags into bins.
Repurposing
The company repurposes broken wood pallets into potato seed pallets, minimising waste and conserving natural resources. By extending the life of these pallets, the company reduces the energy and emissions associated with manufacturing new wooden products, contributing to lower carbon emissions and supporting a healthier environment through recycling and reuse.