-to practise farm to table
ROSELINE MUTARE
MASVINGO CITY-Benonia Machavuda known in business circles as Madam Eben Hardware has set her eyes on changing the chicken industry by practicing ‘from farm to table’ initiative.
The multi business award winning Machavuda has since applied for a farm or plot to fulfill her lifelong dream of scientific farming and value addition, from farm to table.
The enterprising business leader said her dream is to hatch chicks, sell eggs, grow her own feed, sell chicken, live and dressed as well as chicks to farmers.
“I want to be involved in the whole value chain in order to reduce costs of production which eventually benefit the consumer as prices will be very low. It also helps in production of quality products as everything will be done under one roof with expertise, I will be personally supervising the production chain so that we don’t compromise on quality,” said the ever-smiling Masvingo Teachers College lecturer.
Machavuda is the brains behind the fast growing Eben Hardware, the only Hamara agent in Masvingo.
Eben Hardware which was established in 2014 boasts of fully stocked five branches; Ngundu Halt Business Centre, two at Neshuro Growth Point, Farmhouse in Masvingo CBD opposite Glow Petroleum, and one near Great Zimbabwe Campus Radio.
The company employees both females and males, who are well groomed to serve their customers and has three directors.
Machavuda told The Midweek Watch that Hamara chicks are supplied from Bulawayo and they are struggling to meet the ever rising demand because any farmer who would have started rearing the brand will not want to take on other chicks.
Hamara has sasso-road runner which matures in seven weeks and very disease resistant and the popular broilers which mature in five weeks and are tried and tested and easy to manage.
“We also have the Aisa brown layer chicks which are unique, disease resistant, high egg laying rate and cheap to grow,” she added.
Machavuda did her primary education in Nyanga at Matema School and for secondary she went to academic powerhouse, St Davis Bonda Mission in Mutasa outside Mutare.
Her academic prowess is impressive, with a BSc in Maths and Chemistry, BSc Honours in Statistics and Operations Research form the University of Zimbabwe, and Post Graduate Diplomas in Education and Disaster Management from Great Zimbabwe University. Her passion for science and innovation led her to identify a gap in the chicks market – farmers struggling to find trusted partners for quality products.
Their one-stop shop also caters for horticulture and farm products, solidifying Eben Hardware’s position as the farmers’ trusted partner.
Undeterred by challenges, Machavuda’s confidence and determination have broken stereotypes. She speaks her mind, takes opportunities head-on, and believes in teamwork, crediting her success to her team of directors and professional workforce.
When she is not revolutionising agriculture, Machavuda enjoys recreation, boat cruises, and watching soccer (no particular team, just loves the game). Her favourite food are traditional dishes, pumpkin leaves muboora, road runner chicken, and sadza rezviyo.
Machavuda’s story is an inspiration, and her vision for Eben Hardware is set to transform Masvingo’s agricultural landscape. With successful women leaders in business as her role models, she’s driven to excel, taking criticism as a challenge to do better.
Their motto is: Eben Hardware – where innovation meets excellence, and farmers find a trusted partner.
Contact Eben Hardware, the Hamara agent in Masvingo, and experience the best in agricultural solutions.
Community and leadership involvement
In 2023, Machavuda was appointed Masvingo Province Ambassador for the fast growing United Nations affiliated Women Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO).
One of her mandate is to spearhead the programs in the Province as well as growing the women mainly organization as she has a passion for the upliftment and empowerment of women.
Machavuda said she is excited by her role and will not disappoint as she has a strong passion for women empowerment.
“As Eben Hardware we take great interest in women empowerment through agriculture and have hit the ground running in Masvingo and surrounding communities when it comes to women and the girl child support in agricultural projects especially with the Hamara roadrunner Sasso breed,” she told The Midweek Watch.
Machavuda is also a board member for Hope Tariro Trust, that deals with orphans, girls and other vulnerable children. She is the board chair for Ratidzo Zimcare Trust, the only school in Masvingo Province which caters for children with disabilities.
WEDO accelerates and educates the world on the importance of why it’s pivotal to empower women in business globally. From time to time it convenes Business Leaders, Change Makers, Government Officials and Civil Society to collaborate and find solutions in critical areas of entrepreneurship ecosystems, education and policy creation to empower women in business.
WEDO which was founded in 2013 is celebrated at the United Nations and in 144 countries and 65 universities/colleges internationally.
Machavuda has won several business awards in her glittering career including Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year, Hevoi FM People’s Choice, Megafest Business Woman of the Year, ZNCC Women in Business Agric Sector among others.
