Four years ago, we conducted a land use planning exercise with a farmer based in Marondera. At the time, he was travelling abroad and back was clear about one thing: he did not want complicated, high maintenance services. He wanted something simple, practical, and easy to maintain. We suggested an orchard. We agreed on a phased strategic implementation plan: 1. Start with the orchard low maintenance fruit trees, especially mangoes. 2. Add a mushroom hub using fruit waste, peels, and crop residues as substrate. 3. Then add fruit drying turning surplus mangoes into dried fruit for longer shelf life and better prices. Today, he is doing it on his own. And here are the breakdown we used in his plan. Cost Breakdown Phase 1: Orchard Establishment (50 mango trees) Item Cost (US$) Mango seedlings (50 @ US$3) 150 Land preparation & planting 100 Manure / compost 100 Watering cans, hose, basic tools 80 Basic fencing 300 Labour 150 Total Phase 1 880 Phase 2: Mushroom Hub Item Cost (US$) Convert existing shed (ventilation, humidity) 150 Substrate materials (straw, crop residues) 50 Mushroom spawn (5 kg) 40 Polythene bags, trays, sterilisation tools 200 Basic humidity control 150 Training / extension support 50 Total Phase 2 640 Phase 3: Fruit Drying Item Cost (US$) Locally assembled solar dryer 1,800 Packaging materials (bags, labels, boxes) 150 Slicing & preparation tools 100 Training & food safety compliance 50 Total Phase 3 2,100 Overall Investment Phase Cost (US$) Phase 1: Orchard 880 Phase 2: Mushroom Hub 640 Phase 3: Fruit Drying 2,100 Contingency (10%) 362 Total 3,982 Orchard: 50 trees × 200 kg = 10,000 kg of mangoes. · Fresh sales: 6,000 kg at US$0.50/kg = US$3,000 · Drying surplus: 4,000 kg fresh → 400 kg dried at US$16/kg = US$6,400. · Mushroom hub: 450 kg per year at US$6/kg = US$2,700. Total potential annual revenue: US$12,100 Less total investment: US$3,982 Potential net income: US$8,118

This farmer had hectares but no direction. We gave him a land use plan, mapped his soil, found his water, designed every zone with purpose. He didn't need more land. He needed a plan. Let's build yours.