What began as a routine monthly clean-up in Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb uncovered something far worse than litter: a permanent illegal dumpsite wedged between family homes, scarred by deep pits carved out by sand poachers.
The turning point came when 16 youths saw not just decay, but opportunity, and turned it into a thriving mushroom farm. Today, the 47m x 91m patch of degraded land is home to Deep Plough, a youth-led urban agricultural co-operative producing oyster mushrooms.
The farming operations are proof that even the most neglected urban spaces can be reclaimed with initiative and grit.
“The idea to transform the space emerged from recognising the potential to reclaim degraded, idle land and convert it into a productive agricultural site,” Solicitor Gashu, Deep Plough’s treasurer, told Farmer’s Weekly.
Gashu and Deep Plough’s chairman, pastor Muziwanele Ncube, first engaged the local community with their plan.
They then approached the City of Bulawayo with a site map and proposal. With council approval and a short-term monitored arrangement, they began rehabilitating the land in 2024.
They gradually fenced the area, and later a local quarry company filled the pits.
The farming project started that year with 40 000 cabbages.
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The cabbage venture quickly exposed a hard lesson. When they took the harvest to market, it was flooded with supply. Prices collapsed, and some cabbages sold for almost nothing. The rest rotted due to inadequate post-harvest handling and lack of preservation methods.
Instead of giving up, this experience helped the group identify a broader problem affecting many farmers and inspired a shift in strategy.
Deep Plough now focuses on oyster mushrooms, which have a short growing cycle, ideal for degraded land where traditional crops struggle.
Solar drying has become their main post-harvest tool. The rule is simple: sell fresh mushrooms when prices are good, store briefly if a recovery is expected, and dry when there’s surplus or spoilage risk. This approach has cut losses and lifted member income by 20% to 40%, Gashu said.
The increase in earnings has strengthened the co-operative’s financial position and enabled reinvestment into production and expansion activities. Produce goes to suburb supermarkets and Bulawayo CBD outlets.
“Mushrooms were chosen because they have short production cycles, strong and consistent market demand, and are highly compatible with drying and value-adding processes. Additionally, they are well suited to controlled production environments, making them ideal for previously degraded or rehabilitated land where traditional crops may be less viable,” Gashu said.
Deep Plough’s biggest challenge is scale, as it can’t meet growing market demand. Still, the model is working. The co-operative now sources extra produce from trusted farmers to meet contracts while it expands mushroom growing rooms.
The co-operative intentionally integrated four members in drug recovery. Farming brought them routine, income and mental focus. Deep Plough’s rules include peer accountability, clear responsibilities, zero tolerance for substance use on site, and informal mentorship. Three members quickly put drug use behind them while the fourth one is on the road to recovery.
“Farming reduced exposure to relapse triggers,” Gashu said.
Fixed work schedules reduce idle time, while earning a legitimate income restores dignity and stability, he added.
“Mentally, members benefit from improved focus and reduced exposure to relapse triggers, and socially, they gain a sense of belonging through teamwork.”
Gashu has advice for other groups that may want to turn wasteland into farms. He said the most important starting point is organising people rather than focusing on the land itself, as success depends on strong group cohesion, clear roles, and a shared vision supported by basic governance structures.
Once this foundation is in place, groups should secure land access through proper channels, seek relevant training, begin with a manageable pilot project, select simple crops, and incorporate post-harvest solutions early.
“Without a disciplined and united team, even fertile land is unlikely to produce sustainable results,” he added.
Bulawayo, like many Zimbabwean or African cities, faces growing pressure from illegal dumping and unemployment. Urban agricultural projects like the mushroom enterprise show how low-tech solutions can address both environmental and social challenges.
For now, the young people are focused on keeping the farm clean and the mushrooms growing, and preventing dumpsite conditions from returning to Pumula.- Farmers Weekly
