FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT
CALL FOR AGRI-BUSINESS PROPOSALS

Introduction
Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT) and the Midlands State University Faculty of
Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Management (FAENRM) present the Creative
Adaptive Unique Systems for financing Youth and Women (CAUSEWAY) project, funded by the
Swedish Embassy. The CAUSEWAY project aims to strengthen business incubation and
mentorship for youth pursuing tertiary agricultural education, addressing challenges such as lack
of entrepreneurship skills, weak financial management capacity, inadequate business planning
and management as well as writing bankable business proposals, weak costing and pricing
systems and inability to secure viable market.
Objectives and Scope:
The CAUSEWAY project seeks to equip level 2 and 3 students in the FAENRM to become
successful agribusiness entrepreneurs. The project aims to:
i. Foster entrepreneurship skills among students
ii. Provide student internships in viable agribusinesses
iii. Develop students' banking history and credit records
iv. Support students in creating their own employment opportunities
v. Support students in generating employment for others
In that regard, ZADT and the Midlands State University’s FAENRM are implementing the
CAUSEWAY project where the university will assist in identifying entrepreneurial students who
can be capacitated. Students will pitch their ideas and ZADT will avail seed capital for the
successful students. Students can use their projects as work related learning. It is allowed for
students to work in groups (maximum of two students per group).
Eligibility Criteria:
All level 2 and 3 students in the FAENRM who aspire to become agribusiness entrepreneurs are
eligible to apply.
Proposal Guidelines:
i. Proposals should outline a viable agribusiness concept
ii. Proposals must include the background of the project, financial projections, marketing
strategies, and implementation plans.
iii. The proposal format should be clear, concise, and well-structured.
Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
i. Viability and innovation of the agribusiness concept
ii. Feasibility and soundness of the business plan
iii. Market potential and sustainability
iv. Applicant's entrepreneurial skills and commitment
v. Potential for job creation and economic impact
Timeline:
Call for proposals opens: 20 October 2023
Deadline for proposal submission: 30 October 2023

NB Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact Information:
For inquiries or further information, please contact:
Mr. Mhaka: 0785097372
Ms. Ndau: 0773634474

Submission process
The proposals should be submitted in a single file in pdf format to the following email addresses:
mhakanp@staff.msu.a.zw
ndaubm@staff.msu.ac.zw