The experiment started in December 2023 where 3 plants provided 5kgs of harvest. Some of the seeds harvested were distributed to 40 members at 5 seeds per individual. Throughout the year hundreds have benefited from the seeds and now the time we have been waiting for has come. The rain season has come and hundreds of our members now going commercial.

The question could be why are we obsessed with the Madagascar Lima Beans? And our response is that it is the most economic plant as it does not require a lot of input costs such as fertilizers, pesticides and maintenance. The explosive growth rate and high yields, the solution most farmers across the continent are looking for.

And the plants can go on producing harvests on a constant basis up to 7 years provided there is constant watering. With Climatic Change now reality, food security across Africa can be easily secured at very little cost. For small businesses, the beans provide food and more importantly; capital. Go commercial and harvest several tonnes for sale and capital for businesses, secured.

Madagascar Lima Beans from Ruwa based Farai Aleck Katsere

Backyard Madagascar Lima Beans from Bulawayo based Trymore Nzou.

Progress from Ruwa based Lincoln Matongo.

The next update is coming in January when we assess the progress of our members.

At 120,000 active membership, the Zimbabwe Business Ideas and Network forum has become the biggest business forum in Zimbabwe. Our focus is on startups with a good number of medium scale businesses.

Our growth has taken us a good decade as its complex to network strangers. The good news is we keep pushing with our target of a million active membership by 2030. The high engagement by our membership is highly encouraging as this also allows us to easily conduct surveys. And one of the surveys was on the riskiest businesses in Zimbabwe and our findings are captured below;

1. Mining
2. Mabhero (Second hand clothing)
3. Betting
4. Online Forex Trading
5. Crypto Currency Trading
6. Ponzi schemes (E-Creator, MMM and others)
7. Transport businesses(Kombis, mshikashika and trucks)
8. Boutiques
9. Tuckshops
10. Fish Farming

Of course these are general responses from more than 400 members. The observation is lack of researches before plunging into business. Many are just plunging in and meeting the same fate of failure. Those doing enough researches and through experience, are thriving in most of the sectors considered too risky. Take for instance online forex trading-this is a complex area where one needs to spend a considerable amount of effort in learning before starting earning returns.

You do not just join the mining industry today and tomorrow profits are flowing. Get rich quick mentality is often disastrous. Every business is risky and remember the adage-the higher the risks, the higher the profits. We can add the experience curve to the mix. Get the skills and experience and eventually it will work out no matter the business that you choose.