Zimbabwe in maiden show at New Zealand National Fieldays
Staff Reporter
In yet another milestone for the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement thrust, Zimbabwe will be participating for the first time in history, at the New Zealand National Fieldays Event to be held in Hamilton from 14 to 17 June.
The National Fieldays Event is equivalent to Zimbabwe’s International Trade Fair and attracts over 100 000 visitors from all over the world each year.
Speaking to Tatetguru ahead of the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, who is leading the Zimbabwe delegation, said this signalled a huge turnaround in relations for the Government of Zimbabwe. He added that for the agricultural sector, this was an opportunity to learn new technology, connectivity, innovation as well as modern solutions to modern problems in the Agriculture space.
“Zimbabwe is primarily an Agro-based economy. When Zimbabwe undertook the Fast track Land Reform Program, some western countries registered their disapproval by making sure that there was no support or market for new farmers products.
“In short, Zimbabwes farming was sanctioned. For Zimbabwe to be invited this year to the 55th New Zealand Fieldays Event is a sign of huge turnaround in relations for the Government of Zimbabwe and its institutions as well as the Agriculture sector. Its a testimony to the success of the Re-Engagement Agenda set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“This is an opportunity to share ideas, technology, connectivity, innovation as well as modern solutions to modern problems in the Agriculture space.
“We have come to New Zealand with representatives from about 5 universities and other Government departments in line with the innovation thrust of the Second Republic. We hope our innovators will be so inspired as to come up with more heritage-based solutions for our agro-sector.
“We need to register more participants in this space. Lets remember that New Zealand is one of the world’s largest exporters of dairy products and sheep meat. We are rebuilding our national cattle herd and there is so much to share, so much to learn as well,” said Mangwana.
The New Zealand National Fieldays event is organised by the NZ National Fieldays Society, an organisation dedicated to promoting agriculture through innovation and technology. Zimbabwe’s focus will be mainly on dairy, beef and forestry.
Opportunities for future collaboration between organisations and institutions in New Zealand and Zimbabwe will also be explored.
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