The livestock conference begins today at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), bringing together the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Water and Fisheries, livestock breeders, processors, suppliers, investors and other key stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening Zimbabwe’s livestock sector.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Water and Fisheries said the conference is expected to provide a platform for industry players to exchange ideas, promote investment opportunities and explore ways of improving productivity and value addition in the livestock value chain.
“The livestock conference will bring together breeders, processors, suppliers, investors and policy makers to deliberate on the growth and transformation of the livestock industry in Zimbabwe.
The gathering is part of Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance food security, increase incomes for farmers and promote sustainable agricultural development,” said the Ministry.
The Ministry said the meeting comes at a time when Government is intensifying programmes aimed at rebuilding the national herd, improving animal health systems and expanding market access for livestock products both locally and internationally.
“The conference will focus on strengthening production systems, improving genetics, enhancing disease control measures and promoting investment in processing and value addition.
These interventions are critical in ensuring that the livestock sector contributes meaningfully to the national economy,” the Ministry added.
The conference is also expected to highlight opportunities available to investors in feed production, abattoirs, leather processing and dairy development, as Government continues to encourage private sector participation in agriculture.
According to the Ministry, collaboration between Government, farmers and the private sector remain key to achieving growth in the livestock industry.
“Stakeholder engagement through such conferences enables the sector to identify challenges, share knowledge and come up with practical solutions that will improve productivity and competitiveness,” the Ministry said.
The livestock conference will run for two days at the ZITF grounds, with exhibitions, technical presentations and business meetings scheduled as part of the programme.
The livestock sector is one of the major pillars of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry, contributing to food security, employment creation and export earnings, with Government implementing various programmes to support herd growth, disease control and value chain development.
