E-NEWSLETTER - MAY VOLUME THREE: ISSUE 5

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1 IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Exhibits at ZITF. 3. Leads Discussions Generate Unprecedented Interest. 4. National Association of Agricultural Show Societies of Zimbabwe Launched. ZIMBABWE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY EXHIBITS AT ZITF As part of efforts to increase brand visibility and sensitize the public on its new strategic thrust, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society this year for the first time exhibited at the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo. The exhibition which was held from 25 to 29 April 2017 under the theme Harnessing Linkages for Industrial Development, saw representatives from the Sales and Marketing as well as Programmes and Public Affairs Departments manning the ZAS stand. Speaking on the connection between the ZAS display and the ZITF theme, Head of Sales and Marketing Cynthia Tapera said, Effective vertical linkages between firms at different levels of the value chain play a key role in supporting and upgrading the capacity of the chain. ZAS members of staff exhibiting at ZITF 1

2 For example, firms in value chains for fresh fruits and vegetables must be able to respond quickly to changing food safety and quality standards. Rapid response to changing market conditions requires on-going communication and cooperation both up and down the chain. When vertically linked firms are willing and able to share information on new products and technologies, then the value chain as a whole is more competitive because it can adapt more rapidly to changing market conditions. ZAS is on a drive promoting the value chain approach as the adoption of this approach is the best way of improving the socio economic status of the country. Accordingly, the ZAS organised LEADS discussions have deliberately adopted a value chain approach. According to ZAS, the value chain approach has proven to be the most cost effective mechanism of accelerating progress with consequent and wider positive multiplier effects on the national economy. Exhibiting at the Zimbabwe Trade Fair was also an opportunity for ZAS to canvas for exhibitors for the upcoming Harare Agricultural Show and to build and improve on its contact database, as well as generate sales leads. The ZAS stand displayed the strategic pillars of the organisation; the visual, the narrative, the word and the link. These generated a lot of interest to people who have always believed that ZAS is all about the Show. It was an opportunity for the ZAS to explain all the other activities that go on at the Exhibition Park. Exhibiting at ZITF was overally beneficial to the Society. When vertically linked firms are willing and able to share information on new products and technologies, then the value chain as a whole is more competitive because it can adapt more rapidly to changing market conditions. 2

3 LEADS DISCUSSIONS GENERATE UNPRECEDENTED INTEREST The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society recently hosted two conferences under the Leadership for Enhanced Agricultural Development Series discussions namely the Maize Value C h a i n c o - h o s t e d w i t h B u y Zimbabwe and the Revitalising Zimbabwe's Livestock Sector: Empowering Communities. The Maize Value Chain conference was officiated by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and drew delegates from the whole maize value chain. A d d r e s s i n g d e l e g a t e s, V P Mnangagwa said irrigable land in the country has to be doubled to ensure food security even in cases of low rainfall. He appealed to the private sector to invest in the country's irrigation infrastructure to improve maize production. It is government's desire to see the country's farming activities become more productive with an irrigable expanded maize crop area of a minimum of 300,000 hectares. With irrigation, average yield goes up from 5 tonnes to about 8 tonnes per hectare. There is therefore an imperative need for investment in that area, said VP Mnangagwa. To achieve this goal, I enjoin you to make optimal use of every inch of land at your disposal and invest in irrigation development to ensure full utilisation of all available water bodies. ZAS CEO Dr Anxious Masuka talks to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa while ZAS President Ngoni Kudenga and Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Mirriam Chikukwa look on requirements, duty free, he said in his presentation during the Maize Value Chain Conference. Speaking on the private sector's support, Murdoch said Government must allocate adequate nostro funding for the importation of irrigation equipment and agricultural machinery, including combine harvesters adding that this funding will substantially reduce the requirements for various grain imports. Grain and Oil Traders Association of Zimbabwe Chairman Mr Graeme Murdoch noted the importance of fertiliser raw materials enjoying duty free status while the process of importing these be streamlined and centralised. Said Murdoch, Urea should automatically be duty free. It is not manufactured in Zimbabwe and its use by farmers must be encouraged. AN requirement over and above that which can be realistically produced by Sable must also be duty free. Where a shortage of a finished product is anticipated, as is the case with basal fertilizer for this wheat crop, then contractors must be allowed, and encouraged, to import their Millers and end users must be included in the marketing plan so as to ensure the efficiency of deliveries and to eliminate any unnecessary costs. Private Contract Growing Schemes must be recognized as being complimentary to Government's efforts and not seen as competition. Private Contractors should be part of the planning process, he said. More than 100 delegates attended the conference including ZAS President Ngoni Kudenga, Minister of State in VP Mnangagwa's Office Clifford Sibanda, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Mirriam Chikukwa and Buy Zimbabwe Vice Chairman Oswell Binha among other dignitaries. 3

4 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL SHOW SOCIETIES OF ZIMBABWE LAUNCHED Dr Robbie Mupawose, Past President and Life Vice President ZAS gives keynote speech The National Association of Agricultural Show Societies of Zimbabwe has been urged to play a facilitatory and catalytic role in ensuring that agricultural Show Societies remain relevant in the development of the country. Addressing delegates at the launch of the Association on 5 May 2017, Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Life Vice President Dr Robbie Mupawose said Show Societies must share ideas and learn from each other. I remember a time when the Harare Show Society was nearly brokedepending on income from gate takings alone. After my visit to Australia as a guest at their Show in Melbourne, I learnt that business stands and exhibits were major sources of income. We introduced the concept here and we survived, said Dr Mupawose. According to Dr Mupawose the current macroeconomic environment has seen revenue for many Show Societies coming down substantially. He said sustaining operations of the Societies has been a major challenge as in many instances annual membership fees are insignificant. Corporate sponsorship is dwindling and exhibitors and show goer numbers fluctuate annually but overally are on the decline, said Dr Mupawose adding that the only way of improving operational performance, containing costs and streamlining activities is to have a common platform to meet, discuss and share ideas on how to improve ZAS President Ngoni Kudenga appends his signature on behalf of ZAS while Head Programmes and Public Affairs Roberta Katunga and CEO Dr Anxious Masuka look on the collective image of Shows. The event which was officiated by Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made was also attended by Ambassador Mary Mubi from the Office of the President and Cabinet, ZAS President Ngoni Kudenga who gave the introductory remarks and executive council members as well as various farmer's unions and stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Mashonaland West Agricultural Society Patron and Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, in a speech read on his behalf, said it was symbolic to be part of something new and innovative especially if it was as historic as the formation of the National Association of Agricultural Show Societies of Zimbabwe. He said although it has taken quite a long time and a number of meetings and discussions for the Association to be launched, the various Societies were always focused and optimistic that they would get to this day. I must appreciate such efforts and heartily thank all the agricultural societies for working together for the common cause which should assist in facilitating agricultural development in Zimbabwe, he said. The launch which was held in Andy Millar Conference Centre at the Exhibition Park saw all 15 Show Societies in the country appending their signatures to the Constitution that will bind the Association. 4

5 National Association of Agricultural Show Societies delegates follow proceedings Delegates after the launch 5

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