ZITF Livestock Conference 2026 preparations at advanced stage

PREPARATIONS for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Livestock Conference 2026 slated for March 19 to 20 are at an advanced stage.

The two-day event will be held at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (Zices) under the theme: “Advancing Livestock Value Chains for Economic Development”.

Hosted by the ZITF Company in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Bulawayo Agricultural Society (BAS), the event seeks to bring together industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders to engage in discussions that shape the growth of the livestock sector.

It will also bridge the gap between local production and global as delegates will learn about meeting international phytosanitary standards, navigating regional trade protocols, packaging and logistics for high-value exports.

Farmers will get insights on how not to just farm but grow an export empire as experts will unpack what it takes to breed premium grass-fed quality livestock and improve disease control systems for Zimbabwean livestock producers, among other topics.

Giving an update, ZITF Company Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Thandolwenkosi Nkomo, said much groundwork has already been covered in preparation for the conference.

“This will be the second edition of the conference and this year we have expanded it to run for two days. We have been working tirelessly with our partners since the end of last year to ensure that the conference meets the content of the livestock farmers in the region,” he said.

“The major premise for this conference has been that there is need to stimulate growth and focus around the livestock value chain. So, this conference will help in bringing together buyers of livestock, suppliers of livestock feed, suppliers of equipment that enable livestock farmers to manage their livestock.”

Mr Nkomo said buyers of livestock by-products such as hides and those in the business of processing them will get an opportunity to engage directly with farmers.

He said they were also looking forward to having people in various sections such as poultry, goats, sheep, cattle, fish, rabbits and pigs, among other livestock beats.

“So, essentially that is what we are looking forward to from the livestock conference. We are in the process of finalising the speakers, as we are looking forward to having various experts in the area of livestock management, diseases control, finance, law and insurance, among others,” he added.

“We are also working with various corporates, especially those who supply equipment, inputs and livestock related products to be available to exhibit their goods and services on the sidelines of the Livestock Conference.”

Mr Nkomo said there will be a cattle sale during the Livestock Conference 2026, which will play a crucial role in helping farmers’ access better markets, offering them opportunities to sell livestock at competitive prices.

He noted that the idea was to also focus on issues around genetics and breeding, livestock management and access to markets.

“In terms of stretching the conference to run over two days, we want the conference to be as practical as possible. So, we are looking forward to having different sessions targeting different sectors,” said Mr Nkomo.

“We appreciate that different livestock farmers have got different and unique interests. It might not make sense to put the poultry farmer with the rabbit farmer, but we want to have ample time for the different sections to interact, mingle and learn,” he said.

“So, two days we think is what is going to make farmers derive as much value from the conference as possible. We are looking forward to surpass the 200 participants we had last year and obviously, if more people come this year, we will be able to accommodate them,” he added.

“We are still calling on those interested in exhibiting to contact us. Those who are interested in participating as delegates can visit our websites and our social media platforms for registration.”

BAS vice president for Agriculture, Mr Joseph Sikhosana, said the conference could not have come at a better time, giving farmers an opportunity to learn more about livestock management.

“The two-day conference is important for farmers and it will give them an opportunity to engage experts. They will get knowledge on how to look after their livestock and what they need to do to grow their herds and flocks,” he said.

Mr Sikhosana said most farmers were falling prey to middlemen when selling their livestock. However, the cattle sale will be an eye opener for them as they learn the importance of public auctions and selling directly to abattoirs for competitive prices.

Mr Sikhosana emphasised that those seeking superior breeding stock or want to select animals maintained for reproduction to yield offspring with enhanced traits like faster growth, higher fertility, and stronger disease resistance, must attend the Livestock Conference.

“A number of livestock diseases have been reported and farmers should therefore use the opportunity presented by the conference to learn from experts what they need to do. They will get information on surveillance, vaccination and evidence-based interventions to improve animal health, food security and trade,” he added.

A farmer, Mr Benjamin Tesa, said the conference was an opportunity for farmers to engage with Government officials and other stakeholders to find solutions to challenges facing the livestock sector.

“As you are aware, livestock numbers have been dropping due to drought and diseases so the conference is an opportunity for us to get the position of Government. Here in Matabeleland South province, our livestock have been seriously affected by diseases and we want to find out what we can do as farmers to save our herds,” he said.

Mr Tesa said poultry farmers were of late also facing challenges due to substandard chicks available on the market while emerging farmers need assistance on how to grow their ventures.

Mr Tesa is into goats, poultry as well as both dairy and beef cattle.
“It’s important to engage Government officials and also share ideas as farmers on how to address some of the challenges we are facing,” said Mr Tesa who is into dairy and beef farming as well as poultry and goat rearing.

He said farmers need to be classified into small scale, communal and commercial so that solutions speak to each category.

Livestock remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, supporting more than 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s population while also serving as a vital source of nutrition and a key pillar of the national economic recovery and growth agenda.

Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to rebuild and expand its national herd to 12 million cattle by 2034, a target officials say is increasingly attainable following the growth of the country’s stud livestock population to over 24 000 registered animals.

This figure is expected to unlock the full potential of the livestock sector as the country targets a US$25 billion industry by 2030.

The ZITF Company is the leading international exhibition organiser in the country and its exhibitions and events are the first place where industry trends, ideas and innovative products are unveiled.

The exhibitions and events bring together a diverse audience to promote trade and investment in the country while as part of their portfolio, they also offer stand building, venue and business consultancy services.