daniel chigunweWallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
AGRICULTURE associations Zunde Group and Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Zimbabwe (FYFCZ) will today hold the Zimbabwe-Zambia Young Agropreneur Food Fair which will facilitate links between young farmers, regional and global trade platforms, and agricultural value chains.
The two-day event is supported by Government, HIVOS, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Old Mutual, Kutsaga, Naturday, OWIT, Ecocash and other key stakeholders.
The Fair is primarily targeted at young farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 in Zimbabwe and Zambia but welcomes participation from policymakers, investors, financial institutions, development organisations, and relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
In a statement, Zunde Group chief executive officer Mr Percy Mbedzi said it was important that young farmers engage each other and exchange knowledge on agricultural operations.
“We want to create trading links and partnerships among these young agropreneurs, leading to market expansion and increased collaboration. 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,” he said.
Young agricultural entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and Zambia will also be able to showcase their innovations, products, knowledge sharing, as well as establish and build viable trade linages.
FYFCZ chief executive officer Mr Edwin Kudanga said the food fair would go a long way in exposing upcoming farmers to international best practices. Several issues would be addressed at the event.
“The Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Zimbabwe has a mandate of creating a pool of opportunities for young agricultural entrepreneurs through the network itself and through our partners. The food fair is one such networking platform that the federation supports to ensure we expose our members to international best practices. “As the federation, our support stretches to areas such as access to land through joint venture arrangements and options to buy 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,” he said.
The Zimbabwe-Zambia Young Agropreneur Food Fair will comprise three components including a conference, exhibition and investment pitch section.
There will be a series of informative and inspiring sessions featuring experienced speakers from the agricultural sector. Topics such as innovative farming techniques, sustainable practices, market access, and value addition will be covered to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants.
The exhibition will see young agricultural entrepreneurs showcasing their products, services, and innovations related to agriculture. This platform will allow participants to engage with potential customers, investors, and collaborators.
Specific networking sessions will be organised to encourage participants to interact, exchange ideas, and establish connections. These sessions will provide an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to build relationships with industry professionals who can offer mentorship, support, and business opportunities.
The investment pitch session will be dedicated to giving selected young entrepreneurs the chance to present their projects or business ideas to a panel of potential investors and funders. This session aims to encourage financial support and funding for innovative agro-based ventures in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Online Reporter