VP Mujuru to officially open food security summit

Business Reporter
VICE-President Joice Mujuru will officially open the food security and nutrition summit which starts in Bulawayo tomorrow. The two-day summit to be held at a local hotel is being organised by Aline Hope Business Solutions and Training Services   under the theme “Implementing Zim Asset through public-private partnerships in food security and nutrition.” Aline Hope Business Solutions and Training Services’ Thandiwe Mlobane, said Vice-President Mujuru has confirmed participation at the summit.

“The Vice-President has confirmed to be part of the event and she is going to give the keynote address,” said Mlobane.
She said preparations for the summit had gone well and were waiting for the event aimed at discussing issues to do with food security in the country.

“We are ready for the summit and more people are confirming participation at the summit where we will come up with ways of ensuring food security and retaining the status of being the bread basket in Southern Africa,” said Mlobane. She said the summit would provide an opportunity for players in the food sector to meet and come up with ways of improving productivity and promoting growth in the economy.

“The summit will provide a platform and opportunity for farmers to meet with distributors, marketers, buyers and policy makers who will help them identify readily available markets for their produce and this will see improved productivity and growth in the sector,” said Mlobane.

She said a number of speakers from different sectors of the economy had been lined up for the summit.
“We have invited speakers from different sectors of the economy, including the Grain Marketing Board general manager Albert Mandizha, Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union president Silas Hungwe, Nokuthula Mabaso, a local economic development practitioner, and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority chairman Nigel Chanakira.

“The speakers will speak on a number of issues that include enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, nutrition and global trends in food markets, pricing and access.”