Minister calls on farmers to take advantage of ZITF ZITF
ZITF

ZITF

Business Reporter
THE Government has called on farmers to participate at the upcoming Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and take advantage of the trade showcase to penetrate the export market.

This year’s trade fair will be held from April 25 to 29 under the theme, “Harnessing Linkages for Industrial Development.”

The trade fair, which is in its 58th year running, is an annual event organised by the ZITF Company.

ZITF Company board chairperson Mrs Ruth Ncube said the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development has been working with farmers to nurture the sector as well as to build and support industry by facilitating desirable partnerships and linkages.

“The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for Livestock, Paddy Zhanda, has given assurance and support to farmers during their preparations for the show especially livestock farmers,” she said.

“Deputy Minister Zhanda has called on the farmers to take advantage of this platform to showcase their livestock and agricultural produce as the country is in transition to extract full benefits from this sector through exporting.

“To further profile the agriculture sector as always, ZITF 2017 will run concurrently with the Bulawayo Agriculture Show from April 25 to 29.”

The agriculture event features all forms of livestock (cattle, sheep and goats, horses, poultry and pigs), crop produce from both commercial and communal farmers (inclusive of maize, small grains and cereals as well as fruits and vegetables) and home industries (incorporating needlework, knitting, crochet, cookery, icing, brewing, home-craft and artwork).

The Government has also urged livestock farmers to work closely with their veterinary officers during the build up to the show as they seek clearance letters for their livestock and other requisites to enable smooth participation in the show, said Mrs Ncube.

Meanwhile, preparations for the trade fair have gathered momentum with 71 percent of the available space having been booked so far.

Ten countries have already confirmed participation at the annual trade showcase.

Some of the countries participating at ZITF 2017 include Botswana, China, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Turkey while Ethiopia, India and the United Arab Emirates have made provisional bookings.

This year’s trade fair continues to be premised on industrialisation and goes a step further by encouraging participants to collaborate locally and globally as the country moves towards sustained economic industrial development.

In this light, the forthcoming trade fair will feature sectors such as agriculture, construction and infrastructure development (energy, road, rail, water and sanitation), education, professional and entrepreneurial development, information, communication technologies, manufacturing, mining and tourism.

— @okazunga

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