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(HERALD) Zim to take part in African agric talks

Zim to take part in African agric talks
Friday, 22 July 2011 02:00
Business Reporter

ZIMBABWE is among the countries that will participate at the Africa-Agriculture Investment and Product Innovation Conference to be held in South Africa. Africa-Agriculture, one of the leading agricultural research and communications firm on the continent has announced that major agricultural funds, African ministries of agriculture, development partners and project promoters are some of the players that are expected at the conference.

The conference will see delegates thrashing out issues around public and private partnerships (PPPs) and the role of business in addressing food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the organisers, major officials and senior level decision-makers from in and around the continent have confirmed their participation at the Africa Agriculture Investment and Product Innovation Conference.

Some of these include Agra, the Southern African German Chamber of Commerce, the South African and Angolan Chamber of Commerce, ZFC Zimbabwe, Karuturi Ltd and the Agricultural Finance Corporation among others.

Africa-Agriculture executive director Mr Talent Moyo, said his organisation was delighted once more again to host public and private sector leaders in a bid to advance strategic partnerships seeking to boost growth and improve the agricultural investment climate.

South African Minister of Agriculture Tina Joemat-Pettersson and her African counterparts will host the Ministerial Roundtable at which strategies in driving growth and increase agricultural investment competitiveness in Africa will be discussed.

There will also be other sessions on agricultural regional integration, partnerships, commodities, and product innovation.
Africa-Agriculture sponsorship manager Mr Calvin Ncube said the event will also host exhibitions, which will profile some of Africa's key players which seek to boost investments playing a major role in economic development and improving rural agriculture.

The forum will discuss initiatives on mobilising private sector investments into agriculture.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation chairman Mr Bill Gates recently challenged developed countries and donors to unite in a bid to accelerate job creation and poverty reduction through sustainable investments in

African agriculture, while expanding agricultural production and improving food security.

He urged investment in African agricultural programmes, particularly those designed to boost the viability of subsistence farming in the world's less privileged nations.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 11:20 PM