FAO exhibits at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair
Tapping into the agriculture innovation economy while expanding reach through exhibitions.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is one of the largest inter-regional annual trade fairs in sub-Saharan Africa. The ZITF provides governments, private sector, development organizations, research, academia and the general public a multi-international expo platform for trade exchange opportunities in the region. Held from 25 – 29 April 2023 in Bulawayo, the 63rd edition and theme of the ZITF was anchored on transformative innovation.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Zimbabwe joined the UN Country Team (UNCT) and Team Europe that is, development partners implementing EU funded programmes in exhibiting at the trade fair. FAO exhibited as a lead technical agency in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food security and nutrition through innovation exploration and information interchange among the public private partnership players participating at this international platform.
“Exhibiting at the ZITF created and reinforced a common understanding around the mandate of FAO in Zimbabwe, the United Nations and its development partners including support to agrifood systems transformation projects and programmes. The exhibition presented a mutual benefit opportunity of sharing experiences with strategic partners while demonstrating FAO achievements and milestones,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.
The ZITF enabled FAO to reach a wider business community, development partners, existing and potential funding partners, NGOs, women, youth and children. Exhibiting at the ZITF also enabled FAO to raise awareness while also presenting opportunities for mobilizing resources for sustainable implementation of innovative agrifood systems transformation in Zimbabwe.
FAO joined the UN country team in exhibiting under the ONE UN umbrella with the objective to increase knowledge and understanding of UN Zimbabwe agency contribution to the development of the country and its contribution to fulfilling the SDG targets through implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the Common Agenda for peace, people, planet and prosperity. The ONE UN exhibition booth provided a platform for the different UN agencies in Zimbabwe to network and interact with many exhibitors and participants. FAO exhibited under the PLANET PILLAR which focuses on environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resources management.
With FAO currently implementing four projects funded by the EU, the organization also exhibited under the EU umbrella. His Excellency Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann visited the FAO stand and expressed his appreciation of FAO’s implementation of EU funded projects.
The EU funded SAFE project has made significant strides in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in the development of the theileriosis vaccine popularly known as “January Disease.” The Ambassador expressed his interest to learn how it has benefited the general farmers. FAO assured the Ambassador of the implementation and sustainability plan of the tick-borne disease vaccine.
“A vaccine that offers lifetime immunity to cattle is now undergoing registration processes, thanks to the EU funding. The DVS can now produce the theileriosis vaccine that is critical in the protection of our national herd,” said Constance Pepukai, Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes.
At the end of the exhibition, FAO pulled together various critical contacts to follow up on commitments and ways of collaboration in pushing the FAO development agenda with strategic partners guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022-2026. Given the value added through participating at such international platforms, FAO will integrate exhibitions in its planning and programme of works.