Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
THE second edition of the Livestock Conference, set to begin in Bulawayo this Thursday, will focus on advancing livestock value chains to drive growth in the agriculture sector in line with Vision 2030.
The conference, a collaboration between the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, will run under the theme: “Advancing Livestock Value Chains for Economic Development.”
Deliberations will centre on transforming agricultural value chains through the adoption of smart agriculture practices aimed at improving productivity and efficiency.
“The focus of this conference is mainly to advance livestock value chains. The idea is to spotlight those areas that can accelerate the contribution of the livestock sector in economic growth,” ZITF Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Thando Nkomo said.
In efforts to safeguard the national herd from tick-borne diseases, Government recently released US$2 million for the procurement of chemicals.
“I am happy that in the previous two weeks, RBZ and Treasury released the funds for our suppliers. We have to be found dipping because, right now, there is too much activity when the grass is green,” Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira said.
More than 200 delegates from across the livestock sector are expected to attend the conference, which seeks to enhance the contribution of the livestock industry to the national economy.
