Zimbabwean Farmer Grows White Maize on 500 Acres in Cambridgeshire

Zimbabwean farmer David Mwanaka has transformed 500 acres of Cambridgeshire farmland into a thriving hub for white maize and African crops, blending cultural heritage with innovation in UK agriculture (image source)

A Zimbabwean farmer in the United Kingdom has turned cultural nostalgia into agricultural innovation. David Mwanaka, 60, has built one of the UK’s most distinctive diaspora farming enterprises, cultivating white maize and traditional African crops across 500 acres of council-leased land in Cambridgeshire.

Once limited to a small allotment in north London, Mwanaka’s farming journey has grown into a full-fledged commercial operation supplying fresh white maize, horned melon, pumpkin leaves and other crops cherished by African communities. His Landbeach farm, leased through Cambridgeshire County Council in 2022, now produces at a scale rarely seen in Britain’s specialty crop sector.

White maize — a staple for many Zimbabweans — has long been absent from UK agriculture due to its short shelf life of less than 24 hours post-harvest. Mwanaka turned that challenge into a business edge. “People travel from as far as Scotland to collect freshly picked maize,” he told reporters. “It’s something you can’t import and store, so the only solution is to grow it here.”

With customers spread across the UK, Mwanaka’s farm employs seasonal workers and maintains a direct-to-consumer model through a farm shop and nationwide delivery. Analysts estimate such specialty farms achieve 20–30% higher margins than standard cereal producers thanks to loyal niche markets and premium pricing.

In September, Princess Anne visited the Landbeach farm, planting a peach tree to commemorate the visit — a symbolic nod to how Mwanaka’s work bridges communities while diversifying local agriculture. Cambridgeshire County Council has since highlighted his success as an example of how public land can support inclusive, community-led rural enterprise.

Beyond economics, Mwanaka’s maize fields have become a cultural landmark. For many customers, buying his maize is a return to home, heritage and memory. “Farming is not just about feeding people — it’s about connecting them to who they are,” Mwanaka said.

He continues to advocate for youth involvement in farming and for greater policy recognition of niche crops within UK agriculture, arguing they can help strengthen food system resilience and cultural representation. His 500-acre achievement underscores how diaspora entrepreneurship can both reshape local economies and preserve cultural identity — turning farmland into a living link between two continents.