AgDevCo

Rob graduated in 1977 with an M.Sc. (Agric) degree from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. In 1986 he purchased a largely undeveloped farm in northern Zimbabwe and grew this into a highly intensive and productive unit with abundant and sophisticated irrigation infrastructure. In 2002 this farm became a victim of the Government land redistribution programme, and his family had to vacate at short notice.

He then based in Harare and developed agricultural consultancy and export flower seed businesses. Rob joined AgDevCo part time, as a consultant, in 2013. His work has predominantly been in the South Region with periodic visits to Tanzanian projects. Pre and post-investment visits have covered a wide range of agribusinesses. These include plantation crops (avocado, macadamia, citrus and bananas), row and seed crops (rice, maize and soya) as well as sugarcane. His small-scale farming experience has been put to use in supporting SDU and TAF programmes (tea, macadamia and avocado).