Zimbabwe-Zambia Food Fair opens

Herald Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe-Zambia Young Agropreneur Food Fair, which seeks to facilitate links between young farmers and global trade platforms and agricultural value chains, opened yesterday.

The two-day event being held at a hotel in Harare was organised by the Zunde Group in partnership with Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Zimbabwe (FYFCZ).

The event is also supported by HIVOS, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, the Government of Zimbabwe, Old Mutual, Kutsaga, Naturday, OWIT, Ecocash and other key stakeholders.

The fair aims to create a platform for young farmers in Zimbabwe and Zambia to showcase their innovations, products, knowledge sharing, as well as establish and build viable trade links.

Zunde Group chief executive Mr Percy Mbedzi said the primary objective of the event was to promote and recognise the efforts of young farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and Zambia who are contributing to the agricultural sector’s growth and development, to facilitate networking and collaboration among them and with policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders, resulting in the creation of new trading links and partnerships.

“We want to create trading links and partnerships among these young agricultural entrepreneurs, leading to market expansion and increased collaboration,” he said.”

“Additionally, we aim to enhance their knowledge and skills by sharing best practices, innovative techniques, and sustainable farming methods.

“Access to funding solutions and investment opportunities is also a crucial aspect we want to address. Lastly, we seek to strengthen the network among participants, fostering continued support, mentorship, and knowledge sharing beyond the event. The fair will also provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to access investment opportunities and funding solutions to the financial challenges they face.”

FYFCZ chief executive Mr Edwin Tafadzwa Kudanga said they had a mandate of creating a pool of opportunities for young farmers through the network itself and through partners. “The food fair is one such networking platforms that the federation supports to ensure we expose our members to international best practices,” he said.

“As the federation, our support stretches to areas such as access to land through joint venture arrangements and options to purchase legitimate and carefully vetted private pieces of land, access to markets both local and international, access to funding and financial products such as start-up capital, irrigation expansion and mechanisation on flexible terms,” said Mr Kudanga.

The Zimbabwe-Zambia Young Farmers Food Fair will comprise of three components: a conference, exhibition and an investment pitch section.