Green Farm Africa: Transforming African Agriculture
CUSP researchers at Middlesex University leading new project bridging green tech and cooperatives in Sub-Saharan Africa
August 2025
Researchers from the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP) at Middlesex University are working in close partnership with African farming groups and institutions on Green Farm Africa—a project aimed at strengthening smallholder farming through the use of digital tools and sustainable agricultural practices.
The initiative will begin with approximately 300 farmers in Zimbabwe, supporting the adoption of technologies such as satellite weather forecasting, drone-based crop monitoring, and digital farm management systems. These tools are intended to complement existing farming knowledge, enhance climate resilience, and improve productivity.
In collaboration with organisations such as Nomabea Horticulture and SheFarmers, and with technical support from UK-based EnrichGeo Technologies, the project will also assist farmers in aligning their practices with Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. This can help open access to export markets in the UK and Europe for crops like sweet potatoes, mangos, and melons.
A key aspect of the project is co-developing value chains that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. UK retail group Destination Produce is working with Zimbabwean producers to connect them directly with ethical buyers, ensuring standards are met while maintaining fair terms of trade.
Green Farm Africa is a collaborative effort involving researchers from Middlesex University, Royal Holloway, Lincoln, and Reading universities. The Zimbabwe pilot builds on longstanding relationships and shared research interests, particularly around sustainable enterprise, inclusive finance, and climate adaptation.
Green Farm Africa operates across 14 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insights from the Zimbabwe initiative will inform broader research into equitable and sustainable food systems.
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