Practical Agribusiness Support in Southern Africa
I work with investors and agribusinesses across Southern Africa to help plan, improve, and run agricultural operations, using practical advice based on real experience.
About Mark
Mark Coulson has worked in agriculture across Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa for over 25 years, managing large-scale farms, input supply operations, and export crops.
His experience covers everything from farm turnarounds and crop production to working with smallholder farmers and corporate agribusinesses.
He focuses on practical, on-the-ground solutions that help farms and agribusinesses run properly in real conditions.
How I Help
Farm Operations
I help investors, NGOs, and farmers get day-to-day operations running properly, based on practical experience of managing farms on the ground.
I work with you to plan your operation from the ground up—looking at land, crops, inputs, and costs—so things work properly from the start.
Planning and Setup
Market Access
Practical support to help you grow the right crops, meet market requirements, and get product to market—whether locally or for export.
My Approach
Field-First Approach
I base my work on what actually happens on farms in Southern Africa, not theory. I help bridge the gap between an idea and a farm that runs properly, using practical experience to build operations that work in local conditions. Where specialized expertise is needed—such as irrigation, regenerative agriculture, or technical agronomy—I draw on trusted contacts in my professional network to provide the right advice and solutions.
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For example:
Zimbabwe: Managed an export roses and peas operation, improving rose stem length and yields while consistently producing high-quality peas for EU markets, meeting strict certification standards.
South Africa: Trained and mentored over 80 small-scale farmers in ostrich production, guiding them through the full production cycle from day one.
Zambia: Ran trials and demonstration plots that consistently improved crop yield, quality, and return on investment for both smallholder and commercial farms.
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This hands-on approach ensures that every recommendation is practical, achievable, and tailored to the realities of farming in the region. I focus on solutions that work on the ground, helping farms and agribusinesses run efficiently and sustainably.
Results from the Field
Revitalised a 1,000ha arable and cattle farm outside Harare, improving yields across potatoes, maize, soya, and cattle operations while navigating complex shareholder challenges.
Farm Turnaround – Zimbabwe
Designed and implemented practical plant nutrition programs for commercial and corporate farms, helping farmers achieve better yields and improved crop quality.
Fertilizer and Crop Nutrition – Zambia
Worked with rural communities to lease land for a tomato processing project, providing rental income, jobs, and a pathway to sustainable agricultural enterprise.