Graste Enterprise is a Zambian agribusiness venture dedicated to the sustainable processing and marketing of edible oil extracted from sunflower and soybeans. The business seeks to establish a modern, green-technology-based oil extraction facility in the Northern Province to add value to locally grown oilseeds, which are currently sold in raw form at low prices. By sourcing directly from smallholder farmers—particularly women and youth—the enterprise aims to create a reliable market, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve rural incomes. The business addresses several key challenges: smallholder farmers face low and unstable prices due to limited local value addition; significant post-harvest losses arise from poor storage, inadequate processing capacity, and weak market linkages; Zambia’s heavy reliance on imported cooking oil limits local producers’ opportunities; traditional processing methods remain inefficient, environmentally harmful, and produce inconsistent quality; and women and youth lack access to profitable agribusiness opportunities and modern processing techniques.

To address these challenges, Graste Enterprise will establish a green-technology edible oil processing plant powered by energy-efficient systems, partner with farmer cooperatives to secure consistent supply and fair pricing, and produce premium-quality edible oil to serve local and regional markets while reducing import dependency. The enterprise will also develop value-added by-products, such as protein-rich animal feed from seed cake, to diversify revenue streams and provide training in post-harvest handling, quality standards, and sustainable farming practices. Through efficient processing, quality packaging, and strategic marketing, the business will generate employment, enhance food security, and contribute to climate change mitigation, positioning the Northern Province as a hub for sustainable agribusiness in Zambia.