Government, working with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), has intensified stakeholder engagement as preparations accelerate for the March Livestock Conference, in Bulawayo, aimed at strengthening collaboration to grow the livestock sector.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, made the remarks during a preparatory engagement meeting for the conference, which is being organised in partnership with ZITF. The ZITF delegation was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nicholas Ndebele.
Speaking at the engagement, yesterday, Prof Jiri said the livestock sector remained central to rural livelihoods and national food security, stressing that long-term impact would only be achieved through coordinated and sustainable partnerships.
“The transformation of the livestock sector cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires deliberate, sustained collaboration among policymakers, scientists, industry players and farmers,” he said.
Prof Jiri identified genetics, animal health and nutrition as priority areas that must anchor discussions at the conference, adding that technology and climate-smart approaches were no longer optional.
“Our focus must include improved genetics, robust animal health systems and proper nutrition, while embracing technology integration and climate-smart practices to ensure resilience and productivity,” he said.
Prof Jiri noted that climate variability continued to threaten livestock production, particularly in semi-arid regions, making innovation and adaptive practices critical.
“We must align our livestock development strategies with climate realities. Climate-smart livestock production is key to safeguarding both animals and the livelihoods that depend on them,” he said.
ZITF CEO, Dr Ndebele said the Livestock Conference had already proven its relevance following a successful inaugural edition.
He said the first conference attracted more than 200 delegates, creating a critical platform for engagement between farmers, policymakers and technical experts.
“The inaugural Livestock Conference demonstrated the value of bringing all stakeholders onto one platform. It provided a vital link between farmers and policymakers, ensuring that policy conversations are informed by realities on the ground,” Dr Ndebele said.
He added that ZITF would continue to rely on technical experts to shape the conference agenda.
“As ZITF, we deliberately defer to technical expertise so that the platforms we provide deliver genuine guidance and meaningful community impact,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the ultimate objective of the conference was to drive tangible improvements in livelihoods, particularly in livestock-dependent regions such as Matabeleland North and South.
“Our goal is transformation. In regions where livestock is a way of life, such as the Matabeleland provinces, we must ensure that interventions translate into improved incomes, resilience and sustainable development,” he said.
The Livestock Conference scheduled to run from 19 to 20 March in Bulawayo, would serve as a strategic platform to align policy, science and industry in order to improve incomes, resilience and sustainable development in communities where livestock production remains a primary economic activity.
