Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Affiliations
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Decent Chitsungo

Tunstall,United Kingdom

Summary

An agriculturalist with vast knowledge and experience in agricultural solutions for small-holder agricultural production covering farm productivity development, crop processing/ value addition programmes as well crop marketing development linkages. I am a passionate team leader fully committed to meeting the demands of a business through team development . Talented [Job Title] experienced in change management and transformation project coordination. Driven to uplift productivity, profit and performance to maximise business potential. Recruits and retains high-achieving teams through strategic development and recogniiton schemes. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work history

01.2019
  • Successful roll of CFS Agro commencing from operating with three people to a team of 85 staff in all the operated areas
  • Was integral to the roll out of the Power Zimbabwe Livestock Centre of Excellence which currently has beef herd of 550 breeding stock
  • 2020- Conducted a work study/Consultancy programme for Weeffect that seeks to introduce a programme on women in Cotton through registration with Better Cotton Initiative
  • 2020 rolled out a massive sesame seed and tobacco out grower programme for CFS Agro

01.2018
  • Successful roll out of a new cotton business at Zimbabwe Cotton Consortium achieving a market share of 4% in the first year of operation.

Lead farmer

01.2014
  • Attainment of a market share of 15% in the first year of assuming leadership of the business, - Initiated a business turn around for China Africa Cotton that resulted in improved business performance during the first year of appointment.

01.2012
  • Successfully rolled out the buying of cotton together with maize and soya beans in all the communal areas which formed the basis for diversification into grains and oilseeds in Zimbabwe.

01.2011
  • Seeked the certification of Cargill Zimbabwe under the Cotton Made in Africa (cmIA) brand and attained accreditation on the first attempt.

01.2005
  • Laid down the foundation for the Kanyemba Estate under direct funding from the Central Bank as well inception of a chicken our-growers scheme in Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central
  • 2009 Was among the Technical team in the Cotton Industry that worked with all stakeholders to lay the foundation for the first legislation for the cotton Industry which has become the basis for the increasing cotton production in the country.

01.2000
  • Achieved a record intake of 56,000 tonnes and a recovery of 98% in Gokwe., Introduced a Quality management system under the ISO series and achieved certification for Gokwe Ginnery.

01.1996
  • Established a total of 28 Variety assessment trials throughout the country that resulted in the release of the current variety being accepted as a commercial variety.

01.1995
  • Managed to introduce cotton production in Masvingo and parts of Manicaland Provinces the base from which cotton is grown today in the area.

NOTABLE SUCCESSES
01.1993
  • Won the Ministry of Agriculture trophy for leadership, reliability and dependability as a student of Chibero College., : Was among the team of extension staff that successfully introduced the inputs scheme in the country.

Head, Operations

CFS Agro Pvt Ltd
09.2019 - 08.2023
  • Overseeing the overall conception, development, implementation of an agricultural concern focusing on diverse commercial farms under an asset management programme as well as rolling out stand-alone out-grower schemes for small holder sesame seed & tobacco enterprises
  • The function further involves linkages with international commodity off-takers, policy making departments as well various stakeholders in the commodities under focus
  • Specific Duties include:
  • Developing the overall CFS Agro business concept and getting the necessary approvals for the roll out
  • Development of the overall company structures and business case roll out for approval by the holding Board
  • Development of overall business strategy and working plans
  • Development of concept budget for the various divisions under the aggro-based flagship
  • Company registration process with all the relevant legislated bodies
  • Roll out of a staff recruitment programme to commence work on the various programmes
  • Development of company systems and procedures
  • Relating to the various farmer unions and government agro -department to create awareness of the business concept and programme roll out
  • Hands-on implementation of all the programmes
  • Rolling out buying operations for the ready to market commodities
  • Working with field teams on the various grower recruitment drives as well as the buying operations
  • Coordinating the movement of procured produce, quality control as well as export execution
  • Sourcing for sesame seed and tobacco offtaker contracts with reputable off takers and negotiating favorable prices contracts in the process
  • Managing designated farms on an asset management basis
  • Relating with Farmer Unions in order to ensure proper foot printing on the ground
  • Overall regular business review process focusing on cost management overall performance management of the team
  • Key Business Achievements
  • Gained an export contract for the supply of sesame seed into the region within six months of commencing operations
  • Development of a Zimbabwean sesame seed brand which has become basis for government policy changes toward sesame seed
  • Roll out of a commercial cattle ranching facility which will become basis for a massive livestock development programme
  • Registration and development of sesame and tobacco out-grower schemes now running
  • Roll of out of Lead farmer concept for rural farmers for sesame seed
  • Development of a minimum guaranteed minimum price contract for sesame farmers
  • Successfully negotiated for a five million kilograms' tobacco offtake contract with an international

Head of Operations

Zimbabwe Cotton Consortium
09.2018 - 09.2019
  • Overseeing the overall implementation and roll out of the new cotton out grower scheme as well as putting down specific business operational processes and procedures in order for the scheme to roll out successfully
  • Specific Duties include:
  • Relating to the regulatory authority for the registration of the business in compliance with existing regulations
  • Recruitment of staff for the relevant functional positions and catchments
  • Supervision of the recruitment of farmers from all the chosen operating areas
  • Relating to and negotiating for cotton ginning facilities
  • Sourcing for cotton lint forward contracts with reputable lint off takers and negotiating favourable prices contracts in the process
  • Weekly field visits to assess the crop progress on the ground
  • Working with field staff to provide technical support
  • Relating with Farmer Unions in order to ensure proper foot printing on the ground
  • Working with various financing systems in order to get financial support for the business operations
  • Development of performance management systems for all the staff under purview as well regular of overall staff performance
  • Development of key marketing strategy in order for the business to achieve its set targets in highly competitive environment
  • Development of key farmer training programmes as well as ensuring full implementation of the programmes
  • Cotton programme budget development and management of resources applied thereon
  • Attending to all industry level meeting in order to influence favourable business decisions
  • Key Business Achievements
  • Successful registration of the business within one month of commencement
  • Complete roll out of operations in all the major cotton growing areas
  • Development of a highly competitive scheme
  • Successfully negotiated for a pre-shipment facility with a financing institution for the buying of seed cotton
  • Development of a unique collaboration with a local financing institution to focus on the livelihood development of women

Office Operations

China Africa Agriculture Investments
06.2014 - 09.2016
  • To oversee the overall profitable management of the company focused on the contracting off cotton farmers and subsequent buying and transportation of seed cotton from the various buying areas through to the ginnery
  • Specific Duties
  • Putting in place the overall company structure to enable the roll out of all cotton operations across the country and in the process set out business objectives for the business and setting out to achieve the set plans
  • Development of a sound performance management system for all staff and ensuring recruitment of rightly qualified staff for all levels of the business
  • Development of sound relations for the business as basis for easy business progression as well as creating and maintenance of stakeholder relations across the breadth of the country
  • This in the process manage the extensive relations with all cotton farming communities and so manage the whole process to best advantage of the business
  • Overseeing the management of the cotton production cycle ranging from the extensive out grower scheme, the cotton buying processes as well as all the logistics leading to the ginning of cotton at the two ginning sites in the country
  • To directly oversee the financial management of the cotton business from the budget process through to ensuring commitment by all staff to enable channeling of resources in accordance with set targets
  • Management of the overall cotton buying and ensure that all resources for the process are channeled towards the business and so limit the exposure of the business to losses
  • Processes involved:
  • Overall crop forecasting and buying planning
  • Cash planning for the buying process
  • Staff recruitment for the buying operations
  • Buying and transportation of seed cotton to the ginning operations
  • Supervision of the ginning process and storage of the end products
  • Key Business Achievements
  • Implemented an immediate turnaround of the business following previous year of poor performance

General Manager

Cotton and Grains, Cotton
03.2007 - 05.2014
  • Grains/ oil Seeds Origination
  • DUTIES
  • To oversee the overall management of the processes involved in the growing, management and purchasing and transportation of seed cotton, soya beans and maize from all areas of the country to ensure maximum annual throughput for the Cargill Ginning and grain trading Operations as well to continuously develop a sustainable base for agricultural production for the company in Zimbabwe
  • The specific duties included:
  • Preparation of detailed annual production plans for all business profiled commodities to meet the international trade requirements of the Cargill group for the Zimbabwean origin
  • Preparations of crop inputs requirements for all profiled crops and rolling out production plans and targets for the various originating areas
  • Overall liaison with all agricultural stakeholders related to the various crops under the business profile
  • Implementation all the rules and regulations of the industries covering the full business in line with legislations imposed from time to time
  • To engage the industry and all stakeholders in the development of the cotton and grains industry through active participation in all stakeholder meetings/conferences
  • Managing the recruitment of cotton, maize and soya bean farmers and ensuring that all depots under the profile relate to the credit scheme policies as well as development of procedures for all crops
  • Overseeing the preparations of weekly and monthly outlook reports for the country as business requirement for Cargill International mainly the following:
  • Grain and Oil seed crop estimates for the various areas as well as profiling the competitive environment for strategic business decisions
  • Cotton yield production estimates for all areas under the cover and sharing with the rest of the industry through conducting crop yield estimates for all areas and reporting to international Head Office and authorities in the country
  • Managing the huge profile of crop inputs covering the whole country with emphasis on the following key issues:
  • Crop inputs disbursement of farmers with full risk management awareness across
  • Develop training programmes for the safe use of all crop chemicals in line with the strict safety standards required by Cargill
  • Farmer training programme to ensure full recovery of inputs
  • Managing the large scale commercial grain scheme for effective volume collection and recovery of inputs in the process as well as ensuring good quality deliveries
  • Managing the development of training programmes for all farmers focusing on the following major items related to agricultural production:
  • Rolling out the lead farmer programme aimed at achieving better yields for all crops
  • Roll out of farmer outreach programmes for all areas
  • Carrying out wide roll out of the grain and oil seed footprint of the business in line with the Grain and oil Seed Supply expansion into Zimbabwe
  • Development of systems and procedures for the handling of grains and Oil seeds
  • Management of the full buying operations throughout the country covering 15 depots and 151 buying points with buying points combining the buying of cotton with grains with the following major processes under profile:
  • Annual roll out recruitment and training of buying staff
  • Ensuring safe buying operations throughout the buying season
  • Managing the transportation of the commodities from farm gate to the buying points and eventual movement to storage sites and processing sites
  • Managing the movement of cash from Head Office to the buying points and ensuring full accountability through the buying season
  • Quality management of grains especially moisture management and buying of good quality products suitable for the eventual markets
  • Manage the provision of packaging material- bags and wool packs for all buying points
  • To oversee the implementation of the Cargill Zimbabwe/CompaCI Sustainable cotton & production in line with the overall Cargill thrust on sustainable production for small holder farmers
  • Programmes aimed at achieving the following main objectives:
  • Sustainable yield improvement for small holder farmers growing maize, cotton and soya beans
  • Improve on conservation farming for small holder farmers through adoption of better farming techniques
  • Develop farmers understanding of the Integrated Pest Management programme
  • Identifying best practices from other countries and develop them locally
  • Working with communities to identity community projects for the improvement of livelihood for small holders
  • Engage with the various other organization working with Cargill with a view to ensuring proper implementation of the Cargill Corporate Citizenship programme
  • Control and direct labour made up of 25 managers and 2000 labour force and focus on the following major requirements:
  • The Cargill Performance Management Process (PMP)
  • Manage discipline amongst all staff at all times
  • Participate fully in maintaining a safe working environment
  • Development and implementation of the Cargill Remuneration systems for Southern African Countries
  • To stand in and manage the overall Cargill business in the absence of the Country Director
  • Keys Business Achievements
  • Attainment of the safest business operation in Africa Award in 2008
  • Successful roll out of the Sustainable cotton production through registration with the Cotton Made in Africa Brand
  • Successful implementation of the yield improvement programme for small holder cotton farmers through the Lead farmer/farmer field schools programme.

01.2009 - 01.2011
  • Successful implementation of the Cargill country strategy which revolves around ginning operation into one ginnery as opposed to three through efficient resource mobilization which was been the basis for the three year run of excellent Cargill Results.

Executive Director

Dande Capital Holdings
Harare
09.2004 - 02.2007
  • Roll out of the Cargill citizenship programme focusing on school development programme for all the operated areas
  • Successful roll out of the maize and soya buying operation combined to the cotton operation, Effective and profitable management of three subsidiaries of the agricultural division, which were involved in the production of cotton, timber and poultry meat production as well as ensure that all business plans are executed as planned and to ensure that all produce from the ventures are profitably marketed
  • The specific duties were:
  • Development of Agricultural business plans for funding with Finance houses
  • To ensure that designed plans are effectively and timeously implemented to the satisfaction of the board and the external stakeholders
  • Roll out of all project under the business which saw the full implementation of the Kanyemba Estate as well as the 50,000 chicken out-grower scheme in 2005
  • To ensure that all subsidiaries operate within set budget limits and are making profits from their businesses
  • To regularly engage with stakeholders on all matters affecting the business as well as raise the profile of the group
  • To continually seek good markets for all products from the division
  • Key Business Achievement
  • Successful implementation of 50,000 poultry out grower in four operation areas
  • Complete roll out of a cotton subsidiary in 2004
  • Successful roll out of the lower Zambezi Irrigation projected starting as a green field operation

Business Manager

The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe
10.1998 - 09.2004
  • To oversee the general management of the business along profitable line through procurement of seed cotton enough to meet the full plant capacity, ginning of the seed cotton according to set quality standards, upholding proper accounting procedures and ensuring that safety and occupational health environmental regulations are enforced and complied with as set in the provisions of the factories act
  • Specific Duties
  • Annual planning of the catchment operating areas for cotton and developing plans and financial budget commensurate with business objectives
  • Managing the cotton credit scheme for a catchment covering four depots under the same geographical catchment with the following major requirements:
  • Recruitment of farmers within the catchment and ensuring all farmers are grouped according to their locations
  • Ensuring that all farmers sign contracts and crop inputs only issued to deserving farmers through a well development credit scheme assessment programme
  • Development and implementation of an annual farmer field programmes focused on:
  • Crop Assessment and Yield Projections
  • Crop yield assessment to ensure proper projection ahead of the season
  • Identifying risk areas throughout the growing season and developing mitigating strategies thereof
  • Accurate projection for financial planning
  • Managing the actual buying process focusing on the following:
  • Projection of seasonal intake to enable proper financial planning for the buying season
  • Ensuring the all areas have adequate resources ahead of the buying season
  • Recruitment and training of contract staff prior to buying in order to manage risk and quality of the cotton product
  • Supervising the daily buying operation across the four depots with several buying points
  • Overseeing the logistics of moving bought stock from farm gate to the ginnery
  • Ensure synchronization of the buying operation to recovery of inputs
  • Management of the Ginning operation with special focus on the following:
  • Adherence to quality standards of cotton
  • Movement of seed cotton to the ginnery and ensuring that all bought stock is fully accounted for in full
  • Manage the compliment of trucks transporting seed cotton to the ginnery and account for all payments accordingly
  • Management of the movement of the final product movement to final destination- Ginned seed and Cotton Lint
  • Stakeholder Relations Management
  • Relate to all stakeholder in the community to best advantage of the business
  • Representing the company at high level meeting in the community for the advancement of the business case
  • Managing the business relations to the political environment to achieve a flawless operating environment
  • Labour Force Management
  • Managing the full labour compliment peaking to 600 during the buying season
  • Upholding discipline at all times
  • Management the performance based remuneration programmes for all levels of staff
  • Key Business Achievement
  • Successful roll out of a cotton buying operation using a single line grading facility purchasing 21,000mt at the Kadoma Ginnery
  • Achieved complete turnaround of the Field Operations at the Kadoma Ginnery in 1998
  • Achieved a record of 56,000mt for the Motmate Designs Ginnery (Subsidiary of Cottco)
  • Attained ISO certification on the first attempt in 2000 with the Gokwe Ginnery
  • Achieved record volume for the Glendale Ginnery in 2004 of 25,000mt

Cotton Trials Officer

The Cotton Company of
10.1995 - 09.1998
  • Assist the Cotton Research Institute with the establishment of cotton trials throughout the country's cotton growing areas and collect and collate data for purposes of assessing the suitability of cotton varieties in the different cotton areas:
  • Specific Duties:
  • Select growers and suitable trial sites for 28 trials every season
  • Preparation of trial material
  • Development of operating budget for the operations and adherence to approved budget
  • Submission of weekly returns focusing on trial programe trail as well as overall cotton crop progress in all areas
  • Assist growers with land preparation
  • Trial establishment during the normal planting periods
  • Monitor all trials and provide monitoring reports to the Institute
  • Organize picking and collation of data for the institute
  • Provide extension services to growers at selected sites
  • Assist management with national crop forecasts
  • Key Business Achievement
  • Successful roll of thirty variety assessment trials across the country focusing on the main cotton growing areas
  • Successful roll out of cotton demonstration plot which became basis for introduction of cotton in previously non cotton growing areas
  • Successful roll out of the new cotton variety SZ93/14 in all areas ahead of commercial release

Grower Services Co-ordinator

The Cotton Company of, Growers Services
08.1993 - 09.1995
  • The Assignment focused on developing a strong production base for cotton production following the introduction of the cotton credit scheme as well as preparing for a sound production ahead of commercialization /privatization of the Cotton Marketing Board
  • The assignment had the following major duties:
  • Credit Scheme Roll Out in Masvingo/Manicaland Provinces
  • Creating awareness for cotton production amongst small holder farmers in Zaka/Jerera/Ngundu/Mwenezi areas previously untapped by the CMB
  • Development of large scale cotton farmers in Middle Sabi catchment area to ensure increased volumes
  • Development of the small holder cotton in Chisumbanje/Chiredzi areas
  • Implementing the Cotton Credit Scheme in all identified areas with the following creations:
  • Creation of seed selling points for cotton seed
  • Training of farmers on the provisions of the contract scheme
  • Creation of groups in all areas and training all groups on the provisions of the scheme
  • Recruiting of Extension and training of all the staff in the catchment
  • Developing a base for sound crop estimation for cotton to enable better outlook planning for the season
  • Quality Management
  • With the implementation of the credit scheme, programme also focused on the following;
  • Working with cotton farmers new in the crop on all the quality requirements
  • Relating to the marketing department and carrying open shows on the quality standards for cotton
  • Assisting management with establishment of grading facilities for the cotton coming out of the catchment culminating in the development of Chisumbanje, Chiredzi and Ngundu grading facilities
  • Company Awareness
  • With the commercialization of the Cotton Marketing Board focus was also place on ensuring stakeholder awareness with the following main programmes in place:
  • Implementation of the Cotton Grower of the Year programme which focused on quality and yield improvement for small holder and large scale farmers
  • Roll out of provincial cotton shows prior to planting, during the growing season as well as just after the marketing season giving better cotton awareness about cotton
  • Engaging all stakeholders especially Agritex as basis for training and more awareness of the suitability of the cotton crop in the catchment
  • Establish demonstration sites and organize training sessions for the growers
  • Crop Inputs Management
  • Manage the safe use of crop chemicals at depots and amongst farmers
  • Develop seed storage facilities to ensure that seed was kept in the best condition possible for germination and extension of same knowledge to farmers
  • Develop seed selling points initially managed through the GMB and eventually running separate selling points
  • Developing in conjunction with stakeholders selling points for cotton and ensuring that farmers get to now of the cotton selling points
  • Managing the recovery of all the inputs through the roll out of the cotton farmer registration system which was integral to the recovery of advanced inputs

Education

Diploma - Agriculture

Chibero College of Agriculture, Allan Wilson High School
1993

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Mazowe High School
1988

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1986

Skills

  • Operational planning
  • Strategic decision making
  • Lean management principles
  • Outbound project management

Accomplishments

  • Attainment of 30% market share in 2010
  • Best Cotton origination for Cargill Africa Operations
  • Participated in the development of the existing cotton legislation through participation at Industry level
  • Development of cotton pricing formula for cotton farmer in Zimbabwe

Certification

Leading People & team Course for Cargill Senior Manager conducted in Belgium- 2011 Behavior Based Course for Cargill Managers- 2010. Cargill Environmental health and Safety Course for senior Managers 2007. The counselor Salesperson- Wilson Learning 2007. Cargill course on Fundamental of Management- 2007 Occupational Health and safety for Agricultural students (1993) Cotton production and scouting (1994) Total Quality Management for senior Management (1998) Dynamics of successful Management (2002) Disciplinary Management for Cottco Managers CURRENT STUDIES Master of Business Administration Management College of Southern Africa

Affiliations

Elected to be a member of the cotton technical committee in 2008 Elected member of the technical committee of the African Cotton Association in 2010

Languages

English
Fluent

Timeline

Head, Operations

CFS Agro Pvt Ltd
09.2019 - 08.2023

01.2019

Head of Operations

Zimbabwe Cotton Consortium
09.2018 - 09.2019

01.2018

Office Operations

China Africa Agriculture Investments
06.2014 - 09.2016

Lead farmer

01.2014

01.2012

01.2011

01.2009 - 01.2011

General Manager

Cotton and Grains, Cotton
03.2007 - 05.2014

01.2005

Executive Director

Dande Capital Holdings
09.2004 - 02.2007

01.2000

Business Manager

The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe
10.1998 - 09.2004

01.1996

Cotton Trials Officer

The Cotton Company of
10.1995 - 09.1998

01.1995

Grower Services Co-ordinator

The Cotton Company of, Growers Services
08.1993 - 09.1995

NOTABLE SUCCESSES
01.1993

Diploma - Agriculture

Chibero College of Agriculture, Allan Wilson High School

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Mazowe High School

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Decent Chitsungo