A green revolution is quietly transforming Bulawayo’s Waterford suburb, and at the heart of it is 28-year-old Ntombifikile Ncube—a visionary who is reshaping the future of urban agriculture in Zimbabwe. As the founder and CEO of Dexter Rising Spirit Technologies, Ncube has taken a bold leap into hydroponics, an advanced soil-less farming technique that uses nutrient-rich water to cultivate crops.
Her journey into modern agriculture began in 2022 after facing multiple challenges with conventional farming methods, which she found costly and labour-intensive. With limited access to irrigation equipment and land, Ncube turned to hydroponics—a sustainable alternative that requires 90 percent less land and up to 80 percent less water than traditional farming. Her backyard greenhouse now thrives with rows of leafy greens, primarily lettuce, grown in precisely monitored conditions that ensure rapid and healthy plant growth.
Determined not just to grow crops but to build a sustainable agribusiness, Ncube took innovation a step further by introducing value-added products. When excess fresh lettuce began going to waste due to limited market demand, she developed lettuce chips—a creative and healthy snack made from dehydrated lettuce. This move not only reduced waste but positioned her brand as one of the few urban farming ventures in Zimbabwe offering processed vegetable snacks.
A turning point came when she secured a US$4,000 grant from Dutch NGO SNV, which allowed her to establish a greenhouse and invest in necessary farming inputs. Since then, her start-up has grown steadily, earning recognition beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Ncube has travelled across the continent sharing her hydroponics model and hopes to establish herself as a regional authority in climate-smart agriculture.
Her long-term vision includes creating employment opportunities for youth in Bulawayo and training them in modern farming techniques that align with sustainable practices. This aligns with national efforts by the Zimbabwean Government to modernise agriculture and empower young people. Under the Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (2020–2025), which supports the broader Vision 2030 agenda, the Government is actively promoting smart farming models like hydroponics, aquaponics, and precision agriculture.
The Second Republic has prioritised the involvement of youth in agriculture, recognising the need to transform farming into a viable business venture. Policies such as the youth business units, village business units, the Presidential 10-hectare scheme, and school business units are among the initiatives aimed at integrating young Zimbabweans into the agrarian economy.
With modern farming techniques gaining traction and young innovators like Ntombifikile Ncube leading the charge, Zimbabwe is fast becoming a hub for climate-resilient and youth-driven agriculture. Her work not only exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit but also demonstrates the power of innovation in addressing food security and employment in urban settings.
