Patricia Mwansa Holland Greentech People

Holland Greentech Zambia

1. Patricia Mwansa
The Mustard Seeds of Faith

2. ‘’I am where I am today because of
teamwork. I really believe in genders
working together’’.
I've seen how teamwork can create success and how men and
women have qualities that are very complementary. If used in a
good way, it can really grow a company. It can really grow
careers and really make a big impact. So rather than letting
notions of gender or any preconceived notions about people's
abilities determine how things move forward, have faith.
I am very big on cooperation. I'm very big on letting people
flourish. I mentor a lot of young people who are just starting off
in their career for these reasons.
My
guiding
vision
They believed in me, even
though they didn't really
know me.
They gave me a chance. So I believe in also giving
young people a chance, giving people a chance to
do something., because people can surprise you.
I've done things that have also surprised me
because someone believed in me, someone
believed in my abilities. This gave me the courage
to be able to do what I can do. It's not easy. I've
had to really work through blood and sweat to
keep the company running, but I am confident
now.
So my belief as a country manager is that... Yeah, I
believe in growing professionals. I believe in young
people.
‘’Interns, fresh graduates from
university, I take the risk of taking up on
training because I believe in young
people.....’’
Pay it forward

3. Q1: Can you share a bit about your background, education, and how you gained the knowledge needed to work in an innovative company like Holland
Green Tech?
A: Well, I started by developing the company from the ground up. I remember working with my colleague Braam, doing everything from setting up papers
at Pacra to gathering market information early in the morning. It was challenging, especially as a young woman co-managing the company with a man. But
I believe strongly in teamwork. Gender should not be an obstacle — men and women have complementary qualities that, when used together, can really
grow a company and make an impact. I was given a chance early in my career by people who believed in me, and I’ve carried that belief forward by giving
young people opportunities to succeed as well.
Q2: How do you manage to grow professionals in your team and nurture young talent?
A: I strongly believe in giving young people a chance. Many of my team members are fresh graduates or interns. I take the risk of training them because I
believe they can do great here are plenty of free resources online, like Alison’s free courses on business management, and networking is crucial. Surround
yourself with people who are ahead of you in the industry and learn from them.
Q3: How do you stay motivated and continue to push forward?
A: I stay motivated by looking at the people who believed in me. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come. For example, I remember when we started
working with a farmer who had only a makeshift greenhouse. Today, that farm has grown to the point where it has been visited by the American vice
president. It’s moments like these that keep me going.
Q4: Can you talk about a recent journey of inspiration you took to Holland and how it benefited Zambian farmers?
A: We took a group of 24 people from various African countries, including Zambia, to the Netherlands to visit seed companies and farming facilities. It was
a journey of inspiration aimed at showing them how things are done on a larger scale, especially in terms of value addition and export potential. Many of
these farmers returned with a new perspective on how to maximize their yields and improve their farming practices.
Q&A with Patricia

4. Q5: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs in agriculture and horticulture in Zambia?
A: My advice is to start small and be patient. Agriculture is an excellent space for young people because it addresses many of the world’s challenges,
such as food security and environmental sustainability. There are also many government and private sector initiatives that provide grants and low-
interest loans to support young entrepreneurs in agriculture. But it’s important to view agriculture as a business and start small to grow steadily.
Q6: How can young people access funding and stay informed about opportunities in agriculture?
A: There are numerous opportunities available through government programs like the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and
grants from private sector partners. I also recommend staying curious and constantly seeking knowledge. There are plenty of free resources online,
like Alison’s free courses on business management, and networking is crucial. Surround yourself with people who are ahead of you in the industry
and learn from them.
Q7: Can you share some resources or platforms you use to stay informed and continue learning?
A: I follow platforms like Alison for free online courses and read farming magazines to stay updated on the competition. Networking is also a huge
part of learning for me. I learn a lot from the farmers I work with — many of them don’t have formal education, but their knowledge about farming is
remarkable. Always be curious and seek out information that feeds your curiosity and professional growth.
Q8: What is your vision for agriculture in Zambia and Africa, especially regarding the younger generation?
A: I believe that young people are key to the future of agriculture in Zambia and across Africa. The population is growing, and so is the demand for
food, but the land available for farming will decrease. We need innovative approaches to maximize yields and use land efficiently. Agriculture has so
much potential for economic growth, and with the right support and opportunities, young people can make a huge impact in this field.
Q9: Any final thoughts or recommendations for aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs?
A: Agriculture is not just about using a hoe and shovel — it involves science, economics, and technology. It’s an exciting field with limitless potential. I
encourage young people to get involved, start small, and grow their knowledge. Surround yourself with the right people, stay curious, and take
advantage of the many opportunities out there.
Q&A with Patricia

5. Holland Greentech is a social enterprise dedicated to
transforming farming in Zambia. Unlike typical input
suppliers, we provide comprehensive training and
consultancy to help farmers professionalize their operations
and move from subsistence to high-tech, profitable farming.
Since 2018, we’ve impacted thousands of farmers through
our knowledge transfer hubs and capacity-building projects.
Our rural knowledge hubs serve as community centres for
ongoing training and support, helping farmers maximize
yields and adopt innovative practices.
At Holland Greentech, we believe in the power of cooperation
and innovation. We’re dedicated to nurturing young
professionals and empowering all farmers, regardless of size,
to achieve sustainable growth. Together, we’re building a
brighter future for agriculture in Zambia.
Over 6 years in
business
Our unique approach involves partnering with world-class
companies to offer top-notch inputs and support. We’re
not just about selling products; we care deeply about our
farmers' success. We work closely with them, gathering
feedback to improve and tailor our solutions, ensuring
they thrive.
Our services go beyond the basics. We help farmers
adopt sustainable practices, like water-efficient irrigation
and biological pest control, preparing them for the
challenges of climate change and market demands. We
emphasize long-term partnerships, focusing on the
overall success of the farms we support.
A global footprint
in Africa

6. Advancing to a
Sustainable
Future
Moving Away from Chemicals
The future of agriculture involves less reliance on chemicals and more on
partnering with nature. This means utilizing biological solutions and
beneficial inputs to manage diseases and pests. This transition requires a
significant increase in agricultural knowledge and expertise. Farmers need
proper guidance to successfully implement these advanced methods, and
Holland Green Tech is well-equipped to provide this support.
Expertise and Shared Experiences
Our team comprises experts from our suppliers in the Netherlands,
France, and various regions across Africa, including East, West, and
Southern Africa, where Zambia is located. We leverage these shared
experiences to address challenges and assist farmers across the continent.
Market and Industry Insights
Providing extensive insights into the market and industry trends, touching
on environmental sustainability, the shift from open-field farming to
greenhouse farming, and the adoption of biological cultivation methods.
This not only reduces chemical usage but also emphasizes the importance
of knowledge transfer to Zambian horticulturists and vegetable farmers.
We collaborate with world-class companies that share our vision of
growing alongside the farmers. For us, it's not just about numbers or
transactions. We genuinely care about the farmers and the effectiveness of
the inputs they use.
Even in areas like breeding, we actively gather feedback from our farmers
to address their challenges and incorporate improvements that make their
farming easier and more profitable. This is something not many companies
prioritize. While others may focus solely on selling products and services,
we are committed to ensuring that everything we do aligns with our
purpose of supporting farmers' success.

7. Our Commitment to Farmers
At Holland GreenTech, it's not just about the numbers for us. We deeply care
about the well-being of farmers and the resources available to them. Whether
it involves providing essential inputs or addressing breeding challenges, we
actively seek and incorporate feedback from our growers. This allows us to
understand their unique challenges and implement improvements that make
farming easier and more profitable for them.
Unique Approach to Farmer Support
Unlike many companies that focus solely on selling inputs and related
services, we take a more holistic approach. We are committed to supporting
the entire farm operation, from business planning to workforce training. Our
goal is to ensure a long-term partnership with our farmers, working together
to sustain and grow their agricultural ventures.
Understanding
Zambia’s
Challenges
Educational Challenges
One of the significant challenges we face is the need to
reframe the perception of farming among our clientele. Many
view farming as a retirement activity rather than a business
requiring substantial capital and strategic planning. Our task is
to educate them about the business aspects of farming,
helping them understand the economic and operational
dynamics involved.
Climate Change
Another major challenge is climate change. We strive to help
farmers adopt technologies that enable them to cope with
changing weather patterns and evolving consumer demands.
This includes guiding them in producing specialty crops,
accessing premium markets, and utilizing greenhouses to
ensure consistent quality and supply.
Market Dynamics
In a global economy, consumer preferences are increasingly
precise, requiring farmers to stay agile and responsive. We
assist our growers in meeting these demands, encouraging
practices like value addition and exploring niche markets to
enhance their competitiveness.

8. Current State and Trends
The agricultural sector in Zambia is at a pivotal point, with a growing trend
towards embracing new technologies. Farmers are beginning to see the
benefits of modern agricultural practices and the importance of
sustainability.
Role of Technology
Technology plays a crucial role in modernizing agriculture in Zambia.
Innovations in farming techniques, climate resilience, and market access are
essential for the sector's growth. Holland GreenTech contributes by
providing advanced solutions and training to farmers, helping them adopt
sustainable practices and improve productivity.
Opportunities for Growth
There are significant opportunities for growth in Zambian agriculture. By
focusing on specialty crops, enhancing value addition, and leveraging
technology, farmers can access new markets and increase their profitability.
Holland GreenTech is dedicated to guiding farmers through these
opportunities, ensuring they can thrive in a competitive global landscape.
Recognizing
Opportunities

9. Maximizing Land Use
Africa is the youngest and fastest-growing economy. As urban populations explode, available
farmland decreases, emphasizing the need to maximize land use per square meter. This scenario
underscores the importance of greenhouse farming and efficient water use. Our integrated
bundle of products offers a solution that Zambia and Africa need to adopt to meet future
agricultural demands.
Knowledge Transfer and Project Initiatives
Since our establishment in 2018, one of our first initiatives was conducting training on advanced
agricultural production in northern Zambia, including the CopperBelt, Northwestern Province,
and parts of Central Province. We remain in contact with many farmers who benefited from our
knowledge transfer, learning how to grow more sustainably, test their soils, and manage their
farms as businesses.
Project Highlights
We've undertaken several projects to develop capacity, working with organizations like IDE to
connect farmers with service providers like Holland GreenTech. Our initiatives include supplying
inputs and conducting capacity-building knowledge transfers. To date, we have completed
around four major projects focused on developing agro-dealers and enhancing agricultural
practices.
The Youth are
our biggest assets

10. Enhancing Value Chain Linkages
Recognizing the complexities of the agricultural value chain, we address
factors beyond just inputs. Transport and communication are vital, so
we partner with companies providing e-bikes—solar-powered
motorbikes used by government extension officers to visit the demos.
These bikes are not dependent on fuel, ensuring that officers can reach
farmers even without a fuel budget.
Each extension officer is responsible for about 1,000 farmers. With our
eight demos, they can collectively reach around 8,000 farmers. This
multiplicative effect extends further as lead farmers within
communities, each with contact to about 500 more farmers, also benefit
from the knowledge transfer. This results in a significant impact,
potentially reaching and influencing 8,000 farmers to adopt the
innovations and technologies demonstrated.
Global Standards and Local Implementation
The technologies we introduce are on par with those used by
commercial farmers in France, Djibouti, Samoa, and even in Osaka. Our
goal is to ensure that no farmer is left behind, providing bundled
solutions that even the smallest farmers can utilize effectively.
By maintaining these comprehensive and sustainable initiatives, we aim
to uplift the entire farming community, ensuring long-term growth and
success for all farmers involved.
We have established eight rural knowledge hubs to ensure we
reach the last mile farmers. These hubs are strategically
located in areas like Kapisha, a place not widely known even
among Zambians. In Kapisha, we have set up a knowledge
hub, and we have two hubs in Mbala, one of which is at
Kamusuazi School. Kamusuazi is a small school with just three
blocks, offering education from grade one to grade twelve,
where we also have a demo plot.
Other locations include Kasama, Serenje, Chibombo, and
Chisamba, which are closer to Lusaka. We visit these hubs
quarterly to provide ongoing support. At the end of July 2024,
we are conducting a training session for youths and women,
teaching them how to produce what they will see at the demo,
access these resources, and manage them with a business
mindset. We also facilitate their connection to markets, often
initiating market creation where none exist, encouraging
cooperatives and farmers to establish their own markets.
Reaching the
Last Mile
Farmer

11. We face several exciting challenges in the Zambian market,
primarily because we work closely with people. Most of our
challenges are conceptual. Many of our clients approach
farming as a retirement activity rather than recognizing the
capital intensity and business acumen required for successful
farming.
In our global economy, consumers are increasingly precise
about their preferences. This means farmers must be vigilant in
producing high-quality products and accessing the right
markets. We guide our growers in meeting these demands by
encouraging the cultivation of specialty crops, connecting them
with supermarkets, promoting value addition, and advocating
for greenhouse farming over traditional open-field methods.
These challenges are exciting because they drive industry
development. By addressing these issues, we can significantly
advance the agricultural sector in Zambia.
Final
thoughts...
‘’It's essential to stay connected to your roots and give
back to the communities and institutions that have
shaped your journey. My university and professors
played a crucial role in my growth, and I continue to
collaborate with them on projects and mentor students
when I can. Agriculture, in particular, is often
overlooked by young people who aspire to be engineers
or doctors, but it holds immense potential. It’s not just
about manual labor; agriculture encompasses science,
economics, and innovation. There's so much
opportunity for growth and impact within the industry,
and it deserves more attention’’
Patricia Mwansa