Sidumisile Mabena
Nqobile Bhebhe
BULAWAYO has been hailed as the bedrock of Zimbabwe’s livestock sector, with its influence stretching across Southern Africa, anchored on a rich history of agricultural excellence, industrial capacity and strategic positioning.
Speaking at the second edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Livestock Conference, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube represented by Director of Economic Affairs and Investment Mr Simon Saunyama said the city remains central to the growth and transformation of the livestock value chain.
“Such a robust gathering of minds all converged here to deliberate on a sector that is not merely an industry but the very heartbeat of our regional and national economy.
“Bulawayo has always been more than just a geographic location, it is a historic fortress of commerce, resilience, agricultural excellence,” he said.
Mr Saunyana said the future of the livestock sector must be anchored on practical realities facing farmers, while leveraging the strategic advantages of urban and peri-urban centres such as Bulawayo.
“As we open this conference we do so with the understanding that the livestock sector vision we seek to build must be grounded in the practical realities of our farmers and the strategic advantages of our urban and peri-urban hubs.
“To understand where we are going we must acknowledge the bedrock upon which we stand. Bulawayo’s identity is intricately linked to the livestock value chain. For decades, this city served as the undisputed logistical and industrial center for cattle and small stock in Southern Africa,” he said.
He underscored the importance of recognising historical institutions that shaped the sector, particularly the Cold Storage Company (CSC), which once positioned Zimbabwe as a major exporter of premium beef.
“We cannot speak of livestock without honoring the legacy of the Cold Storage Company. We cannot speak of livestock without honoring the legacy of the cold storage community.
“At its peak the CSC headquartered here in Bulawayo was a marvel of African industrialization facilitating export of high quality Zimbabwean beef to the most stringent markets in the European Union. It set good standards for traceability, quality control and value addition in that region,” he said.
The conference, running under the theme “Advancing Livestock Value Chains for Economic Development,” signals renewed urgency to unlock value, enhance productivity and position Zimbabwe’s livestock industry for both regional and international markets.
The event, hosted by the ZITF Company in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Bulawayo Agricultural Society (BAS), has drawn industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators from across the country and beyond.
Online Reporter