Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company (ZITF) will this month host the inaugural Livestock Conference, at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (formerly Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre).
The Livestock Conference is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
In a statement, ZITF Company Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nicholas Ndebele revealed that the conference had initially been planned for early March, but will now be held from 20 to 21 March in response to feedback from stakeholders, allowing participants more time for preparation and planning.
“Running under the theme, ‘Transforming Livestock Futures: Strategies for Resilience and Prosperity,’ this pivotal event will bring together key players in the livestock value chain to discuss industry trends, spotlight opportunities, address sector challenges, and explore strategies for sustainable growth and export development.
“The conference will focus on critical themes, including climate resilience, technological advancements, livestock production as a business and sustainable farming practices while promoting supportive policies, capacity building, and market development.
These discussions dovetail with and support ongoing Government initiatives such as the Isiphala seNkosi/Zunde RaMambo as well as Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-ZIM) projects,” said Dr Ndebele.
He said the conference is expected to attract a wide cross-section, including livestock producers, business owners, Government officials, veterinarians, academics, financiers and industry experts from the region.
Dr Ndebele said the event will also feature a small supporting exhibition where participants are expected to showcase cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and market-ready solutions, offering attendees opportunities for hands-on demonstrations and networking with key players such as stockfeed manufacturers, veterinary consultants, and animal health experts.
“On Day 1 (Thursday, 20 March), attendees can expect presentations by industry leaders and Government officials, panel discussions on market trends and challenges, and an exhibition of livestock products and innovations. On Day 2 (Friday, 21 March), the focus will shift to interactive workshops on innovative livestock management practices, followed by a summary of proceedings, key takeaways, and resolutions aimed at influencing policy frameworks and driving industry change.
“A key highlight of the conference will be its focus on networking and partnerships, facilitated through breakout sessions and networking areas which will foster knowledge-sharing as well as meaningful connections between stakeholders; encouraging collaborations between farmers, suppliers of inputs, financiers, researchers and policymakers, and other industry players. This dynamic interaction will help drive innovation and create impactful solutions to transform Zimbabwe’s livestock sector,” said Dr Ndebele.
The ZITF CEO revealed that the conference will also underscore the importance of Government and policy connections, ensuring that the event outcomes align with national strategic frameworks to support long-term sector growth.
He said already several organisations have confirmed their participation, including the Bulawayo Agricultural Society, Zimbabwe Beef Producers Society, Zimbabwe Herd Book, the Department of Veterinary Services, University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), the Matopos Research Institute and Zimtrade.
He noted that the Livestock Conference event is one of the new event offerings by the ZITF Company that are strategically designed to cater to specific economic sectors, thereby presenting innovative opportunities to a broader local and international pool of economic stakeholders.
“This is in line with the Company’s mandate to stimulate innovative opportunities for social and business interaction to foster economic growth and development.
“This rise of such specialised conferences is a growing trend in the events industry, driven by the need for targeted engagement, deeper connections, and more meaningful discussions. Other new events on the horizon include the Tech Expo and the Green Business Expo set for later this year,” said Dr Ndebele.
