Meet the People of Green Fuel: Stories from the Frontlines of Ethanol Production
In the rolling fields of Zimbabwe’s Lowveld, a quiet revolution is taking place—not just in energy, but in human lives. At the heart of this movement is Green Fuel (Pvt) Ltd , a pioneering biofuel company co-founded by businessman Billy Rautenbach. While much has been written about the company’s large-scale impact on Zimbabwe’s energy sector, this story focuses on the people behind the progress—the farmers, technicians, engineers, and community leaders who power Green Fuel’s daily operations. From Subsistence to Sustainable Income: The Smallholder Farmer’s Story Before joining Green Fuel’s outgrower program, Tatenda Moyo, a 32-year-old farmer from Chipinge, struggled to sustain his family through subsistence agriculture. Seasonal droughts and market uncertainties kept his income low and unpredictable. In 2015, Tatenda joined the company’s outgrower scheme, where Green Fuel provides access to sugarcane seedlings, agricultural training, and guaranteed offtake. “Now I can plan for...