Noster Mapuranga, a grandmother of 19 from Ward 11 in Bindura District, Mashonaland Central, once farmed white maize and tomatoes just to feed her family. Despite her hard work, low maize profits and unstable tomato prices made it impossible to achieve her dream of building a better home and improving her family’s income.

Everything changed after she attended a field day organized by HarvestPlus under the Scaling Nutrition Resilience in Zimbabwe project, funded by the Happel Foundation and implemented in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Advisory, Technical and Extension Services, Ministry of Agriculture. There, she learned about NUA45 iron beans—a biofortified variety rich in iron and zinc that offers higher yields and resilience to drought and pests.

Encouraged by what she heard and saw during the field day, Noster planted 20 kilograms (kg) of NUA45 beans on 0.4 hectares. In just three months, she harvested twelve 50-kg bags equivalent to 600 kg, and earned US$1,440, far exceeding her maize income. Within three seasons, she had saved US$6,500, enough to start building her long-desired six-roomed house and buy two cows worth US$400.

“Now I have 10 bags of maize, bought with income from the iron beans. In the past, I wouldn’t even have one basin of maize. Hunger is not an issue in this home anymore,” she says proudly.

Standing beside the brick walls of her new house, Noster smiles as she envisions her family’s future. “This house means a lot to me,” she says. “It will have enough space for all my children and grandchildren when they visit. I want them to feel comfortable and proud when they come home.”

Beyond income, Noster feels that her family health has improved. “We no longer see malnourished grandchildren in our family. We feed them iron beans and vitamin A orange maize,” she explains.

Demand for NUA45 beans continues to grow, with buyers from Harare and nearby areas coming directly to her farm. Her success has inspired other farmers to follow suit.

The Happel Foundation funded, Scaling Nutrition Resilience project aligns well with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s focus on farming as a business. With plans to expand her bean production, complete her new home, and buy a vehicle for her farming business, Noster’s story shows how biofortified crops—supported by HarvestPlus—are transforming livelihoods and tackling hidden hunger in Zimbabwe.