THE morning sun rises over rows of lush green crops stretching across fertile fields, the air carries the scent of damp soil and fresh vegetables, and in the midst of this thriving agricultural landscape stands an agripreneur, Grace Dudzai Musa, a determined woman whose vision is redefining what it means to succeed in agriculture.
In a sector traditionally dominated by men, Musa, the managing director of Discovery Coin, has managed to carve out her own space through determination, passion and an unwavering belief in the power of the land.
a passionate farmer, Musa, is one of the women redefining Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape on over 13 hectares of farmland, in the quiet farming community of Melfort, on the outskirts of Marondera, about an hour’s drive from Harare.
On her over 13 hectares of farmland, three hectares sit greenhouses, producing cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, and then on the other open field side, she produces leafy vegetables such as covo, spinach, tsunga, as well as lettuce, carrots, and more.
The business also boasts 12 mushroom growing rooms for button mushrooms and six for oyster mushrooms.
With an additional 14 hectares already under development, the business has ventured into watermelon, butternut, potatoes and other high-value crops.
Musa reckons that what started as a dream has today grown into a flourishing enterprise for her as she has created a reliable supply of farm-fresh produce that is delivered from her fertile fields in Melfort to shelves in major supermarkets, ensuring that households across the country enjoy fresh, nutritious produce.
Through her Discovery Coin, Musa is also supplying fresh produce to Pick n Pay supermarkets across Zimbabwe, contributing meaningfully to the country’s food supply chain.
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“My passion for agriculture was sparked during my days in the retail industry as an accounts clerk at OK Zimbabwe. This is when I began to appreciate the vital role farming plays in driving the retail and food supply chain in Zimbabwe,” she tells NewsDay Society.
“During my time in retail, I observed that a significant portion of supermarket profits was generated from fresh produce, confectionery, and takeaway foods sectors directly supported by agriculture.
“This realisation inspired me to venture into farming, not only as a business opportunity, but as a solution to strengthening food security and sustainable livelihoods.”
Musa, who describes herself as a visionary agripreneur and faith-driven leader, says her journey into farming is rooted in resilience, strategic insight and an unwavering belief in God’s guidance.
“I started modestly by buying and selling fresh produce, sourcing from farmers and the Mbare market to supply retail outlets.
“Despite early setbacks, including the collapse of my first greenhouse project due to disputes, I remained determined and continued growing fruits and vegetables in my backyard and garage.
“I later started renting farming spaces to keep my vision alive, and my persistence eventually led to securing leased farmland in Melfort, where I am currently doing my farming,” she narrates, her voice carrying both humility and confidence.
Every day begins before sunrise for Musa.
As the first rays of light touch her fields, she walks through rows of thriving crops, carefully inspecting cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, vibrant coloured peppers, spinach and neatly cultivated button mushrooms.
Each plant tells a story of dedication and thorough care.
“For me, farming is more than just a business, it is a calling. I believe the land has endless opportunities if you treat it with care and commitment.
“Agriculture is not just about producing food, it is also about creating livelihoods, empowering communities, and showing that women can thrive in any sector.”
In 2023, Musa seized a strategic opportunity to supply Simbisa Brands through meat imports, an initiative that gave birth to Discovery Coin.
“The milestone to supply Simbisa Brands enabled my diversification into farming, meat imports and serviette manufacturing, laying the foundation for business expansion. However, farming remained my core passion and primary focus,” Musa says.
She reckons that her journey into commercial farming has not been without its challenges.
“Agriculture demands long hours, resilience in the face of unpredictable weather, and the ability to navigate complex markets.
“I, however, refuse to be intimidated by the perception that large-scale farming is a man’s world. Instead, I turned those perceptions into motivation,” she says.
“Above all, I am a strong believer in God, grounding every decision in prayer and faith.
“I believe I stand as a powerful example of how faith, determination, and innovation can transform humble beginnings into sustainable agricultural impact.”
Beyond the rows of different thriving crops, Musa’s farm is also empowering the community as she employs workers from nearby communities and also takes part to contribute to local economic development
“Through persistence and innovation, I have built Discovery Coin into a trusted producer of quality vegetables.
“I believe my work is also helping to reshape narratives about women in agriculture, proving that with determination and skill, women can excel in industries that have historically been male-dominated.”
Musa is cultivating more than vegetables.
She is cultivating a future where women stand proudly at the forefront of Zimbabwe’s agricultural success.
“I believe through sharing knowledge about modern farming practices, I am helping to nurture a culture of agricultural entrepreneurship,” she says.
“I just want to encourage fellow women that we can do it in farming. We just have to be bold, forward-thinking, and unafraid to break barriers.”
Looking ahead to this year, Musa envisions establishing a fully-fledged industrial site to expand from meat imports into local meat processing and exports, while scaling up greenhouse production for export markets.
As trucks leave Discovery Coin carrying crates of cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and spinach bound for Pick n Pay stores across the country, they carry more than just produce, but carry the story of a woman who refused to accept limits and instead planted seeds of possibility.
