The Chilumba Farm was born from a deep-rooted belief that land is both livelihood and trust. Our origins lie in artisanal farming families, where agriculture was not merely practiced but lived through seasons, challenges, and shared responsibility. From these roots emerged Elijah Southerland Mkhupela, a trained agronomist whose vision transformed inherited farming knowledge into a structured, research-driven enterprise.

Elijah approached agriculture as a system—integrating agronomy, seed and crop research, animal breeding, agricultural finance, land policy awareness, and natural resource investment. Under his leadership, the farm evolved into a resilient, learning-oriented operation designed not just to succeed, but to last.

Alongside him stands Our Mother Nellie Limbani Mkhupela, daughter of seasoned artisan farmer Fabiano Limbani of Namonde Farms, Chiradzulu. Trained as a medical professional, a Community enthusiast she became the enterprise’s moral anchor, stabilizing force, and later its living institutional memory.

Today, the enterprise is led by the second generation impact driven brothers of peace, who have professionalized operations while remaining faithful to founding values. Together, they ensure that progress is guided by purpose and that innovation respects legacy.

OUR PHILOSOPHY and MOTTO
We believe that sustainable agriculture rests on four inseparable principles:

– Stewardship of land and people for future generations
– Faith-driven ethics in leadership and decision-making
– Science and research as the foundation of productivity

Our philosophy is simple:
True agricultural success is measured not only in yields, but in continuity, integrity, and impact.
Our Motto Fresh and green. … ( Was thinking of We grow to grow).

LEADERSHIP & FAMILY
Founder (Legacy)
Elijah Southerland Mkhupela
Founding Father |Agronomist | Natural Resources Visionary
Born into an artisanal farming family, Elijah Southerland Mkhupela was the founding architect of the Mkhupela Farm Family Enterprise, called Chilumba Farm. Trained in agronomy and deeply committed to lifelong learning, he built a research-driven, disciplined farming system that integrated crops, livestock, land stewardship, and community development.

A seed and crop researcher, animal breeder, agricultural finance strategist, land policy enthusiast, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Elijah believed that agriculture must serve both present needs and future generations.

Though he has passed on, his vision remains embedded in the enterprise’s systems, values, and his enduring children.
“The land is not an inheritance from our parents; it is a trust for our children.”

Matriarch
Nellie Limbani Mkhupela
Matriarch | Strategic Steward | Institutional Memory 
Daughter of seasoned artisanal farmer Fabiano Limbani of Namonde Farms, Chiradzulu, Nellie Limbani Mkhupela combines deep farming lineage with professional medical training.
She has served as Wife, Mother, nurse, community enthusiast, the enterprise’s stabilizing force—supporting its formative years, guiding transition after the founder’s passing, and preserving the founding vision. Today, she provides strategic guidance, safeguards values, and serves as the living institutional memory of the enterprise. Her leadership is quiet, ethical, and deeply people-centered.

Second Generation Leadership
Ovie Mkhupela
Financial Steward | Governance Lead
Ovie Mkhupela is a trained and qualified accountant responsible for strategic planning, managing labour, farm resources, managing customers and suppliers, bidding and farm partnership proposals, liaison with government offices, financial governance, transparency, and compliance. He has formalized accounting systems, strengthened internal controls, and enhanced the enterprise’s credibility with partners and institutions. He has previously served in Nonprofits, social enterprises serving marginalized communities with focus, agriculture, food resilience, education and health. 
His work ensures that growth is disciplined, auditable, sustainable and impactful.

Ekari Mkhupela
Farmer–Strategist | Agri-Finance Integrator
Raised on farms and agricultural estates, and a first-generation grandson of Fabiano Limbani, Ekari Mkhupela brings together hands-on farming experience with training in management science and financial accounting. He bridges strategy, operations, and finance—ensuring that field decisions align with long-term performance and scalability. Ekari has previously served in international governmental and non-governmental organizations and multinational social enterprises in human, social, development and livelihoods.  He works as Lead Farm Accountant, records manager, think tank, future planner, developing new administrative approaches, strategic sourcing, contracts and infrastructure management. 

Lipihelani Elijah Mkhupela
Farm Lead | Agronomist
Raised from the soils of Chulumba Farm, Lipihelani Mkhupela is the technical and operational lead of the enterprise. A top-class graduate of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), holds a Degree Community development, Diploma in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management and has worked in leading International and local organizations before fully committing his efforts to the farm from 2021. He leads production, agronomics, and field management, the Farmer! Planter/breeder. The living continuation of the founder’s agronomic spirit, Lipi translates legacy into modern field excellence and future farm modernization pursuits , absorbing farming not as an assignment, but as identity.
He is the technical heart of the enterprise. He is the guy who makes things happen!

COMMUNITY & STEWARDSHIP
We recognize that agriculture does not exist in isolation.
Our enterprise is committed to:
Knowledge sharing and mentorship
Ethical labor practices
Responsible land use
Community wellbeing
We believe strong farms build strong communities.

OUR PARTNERSHIPS
We welcome collaboration with:
Agribusiness partners
Financial institutions
Research organizations
Development and community stakeholders
We value partnerships built on trust, shared values, and long-term vision.