Rudo Saungweme
Zimbabwe is set to host the 31st Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Africa regional conference to be held in the period 23 to 25 March 2020.
Zimbabwe anticipates to host approximately 400 delegates drawn from African FAO member countries, Canada, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States of America, organisations within the United Nations system as well as civil society organisations. The venue of the conference is yet to be announced.
FAO is also engaging Government on the implementation of the Agrivest Initiative. The submitted concept note to Zimbabwe by FAO focuses on soya bean value chains.
Analysts said that the soya bean value chain had potential to significantly reduce the country’s bill for flour and cooking oil.
The initiative’s three main components are: developing capacity for negotiating trade agreements, meeting domestic, regional and global food safety and quality standards, and supporting domestic markets and export diversification. The initiative works both at the policy and the environment in Zimbabwe.
Analysts have stated that the decision made by FAO to hold its 31st Africa regional conference in Zimbabwe illustrates the confidence being gained by the international world on Zimbabwe.
