MAYBIN KAMFWA: CULTIVATING A VISION, ONE VEGETABLE AT A TIME.

By Ruth Chileshe

Maybin Kamfwa Founder and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Kulima with Knowledge

FOR some, farming is simply a business, a means of earning an income. But for others, it's much more than that. It's a passion. A calling. A joy that goes beyond financial returns. It’s the fulfillment that comes from watching tiny seeds transform into thriving crops that nourish communities.

This philosophy perfectly describes Mr. Maybin Kamfwa, a passionate and dedicated farmer who doesn’t just grow crops to make a living, he farms because he loves it. Mr. Kamfwa is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kulima With Knowledge, the name of his growing agribusiness.

Mr. Kamfwa began his farming journey in 2019 while still a second-year Biotechnology student at the Copperbelt University (CBU).Although the start was not easy, it was deeply fulfilling and aligned with his vision of making a difference through agriculture.

He explains that, although he had some exposure to farming through his uncle, what truly motivated him to start his own venture was attending a youth Indaba in Lusaka. There, he interacted with the "Zed Farmer" and was inspired by her work. Upon returning to university, he decided it was time to begin farming himself.

“Since I was a student on a government bursary, I decided to save part of my meal allowance. Once I had enough, I looked for land to rent in Kalulushi. Luckily, I found a piece of land with a small stream running through it, perfect for my needs, even though the land was swampy,” he explained.

After securing the land, Mr. Kamfwa began growing a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, rape, peppers, and onions, with a primary focus on vegetable production. However, he admits the journey was challenging.

“I used to walk 8 kilometers almost every day to reach my farm. It was exhausting. I’d start commuting around 5 a.m., work at the farm until 7 p.m., and only get home around 11 p.m. because of the distance had to cover on foot,” he said.

Despite the hardships, Mr. Kamfwa continued because farming aligned with his greater vision, feeding his community, his country, and eventually the world. After earning some profit, he managed to buy a bicycle, which made commuting easier.

He also took a significant step by registering his farmland and business with PACRA, formalizing it as an income-generating enterprise. In addition to farming, he now offers consultancy services to help others interested in agriculture but unsure where to begin. He says this is a gap he experienced himself when starting out, as he lacked mentorship and guidance.

“When you start farming, it’s important to have a mentor, someone who’s been in the business and can guide you. I wish I had that when I began. It would’ve saved me from many mistakes and losses. For instance, after a small success, I got overconfident and decided to grow 15,000 cabbages. I ended up making a huge loss because I couldn’t afford to maintain them, and market prices were unfavorable,” he shared.

Mr. Kamfwa explains that many new farmers begin with unrealistic expectations, assuming that market prices seen during research will directly translate into profit. But farming doesn't work that way. Many other factors come into play.

He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals in agriculture, especially because factors like rainfall patterns and market fluctuations are beyond a farmer's control. Market price volatility, in particular, has been a major challenge. When prices drop, local buyers often refuse to pay more, which hurts farmers who have already invested heavily in inputs like fertilizer.

Nonetheless, he notes that the presence of chain stores such as Choppies and Shoprite in Kalulushi has helped. These outlets purchase his produce at fairer prices, unlike local markets where buyers often negotiate aggressively for lower rates.

Mr. Kamfwa also mentions that access to water year-round remains one of his biggest challenges. He is still working onsetting up a proper irrigation system, which limits his vegetable production. Additionally, not owning a truck makes transporting produce to market more difficult.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Kamfwa says farming remains deeply fulfilling because it aligns with his passion and long-termvision. He is proud of his journey, from a one-man venture to a growing business that now employs two people, with plans to hire more.

For those considering farming, Mr. Kamfwa advises: “If you want to venture into farming, you must understand what you’re gettinginto. Be patient, because it takes time before you begin to see rewards and profits. Consistency and patience will eventually pay off.”

He adds, “If your business is to grow and you have people working with you, don’t make the mistake of farming from your phone. Be on the ground, engage with your workers, and work hard alongside them.

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