Zimbabwe sets stage for horticulture conference Amidst Sector Growth

Business Writer

Zimbabwe is set to host a pivotal horticulture conference, featuring the nation’s leading growers, investors and Government officials on November the 16^th.

Organised by the Horticulture Development Council (HDC), the forum will take place at ART Farm, aiming to provide an essential platform for industry stakeholders.

Under the theme, “Opportunities in the Field, in Policy and All the Way to the Bank”, the conference is designed to explore and spotlight various prospects within the horticulture sector.

It also aligns with the Government’s recently inaugurated Horticultural Recovery and Growth Plan, which is part of a comprehensive strategy to elevate agriculture into a formidable US$8,2 billion sector by the year 2025.

The forthcoming HDC Investment Forum will offer a unique opportunity for farmers and investors to engage directly with decision-makers shaping the industry’s future. Among the notable speakers attending are Dr Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, as well as Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

This conference is not the first of its kind, but follows in the footsteps of a successful debut event held last year. The initial forum garnered substantial interest from industry leaders and experts across Zimbabwe and internationally, with participants hailing from Kenya, South Africa, and Europe. The upcoming edition promises to be no different, providing a crucial space for discussions on sector opportunities and challenges.

Attendees can anticipate informed talks on trends within various horticulture sectors, including blueberries, citrus, and coffee, further facilitating interactions with potential investors.

HDC chief executive officer, Linda Nielsen, emphasised the importance of the 2023 HDC Investment Forum given its timing highlighting the urgent need for solutions to navigate through existing policy obstacles hindering the sector’s growth.

“This is a major event on Zimbabwe’s agriculture calendar, convening growers, horticulture experts, investors, and policymakers from across the globe. The forum is instrumental for our country’s economic trajectory, with the horticulture sector being pivotal to economic growth,” stated Nielsen.

She explained that for the horticulture industry to reach its full potential, substantial investments are indispensable. The forum also aims to dissect and provide solutions to urgent issues the sector faces, including financing accessibility, policy framework, climate change considerations, and energy concerns. With these discussions, the conference aims not only to address immediate challenges but also to lay the groundwork for the sector’s robust and sustainable growth in the future.