LIPS-Zim Shares Climate-Smart Agriculture Information at 64th Edition of ZITF
The Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) project participated in the 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) https://zitf.co.zw/ , held from 23 -27 April 2024, in Bulawayo under the Team Europe stand. The event, themed ‘Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade,’ was officially opened by the President of Kenya, His Excellency William Samoei Ruto on 27 April 2024.
The Trade Fair provided a platform for LIPS-Zim researchers to showcase their work and network with farmers, students, private sector organizations, and the public, sharing vital information on improving livelihoods through livestock production. In alignment with the event's theme, the LIPS-Zim project presented potted forage plants, seeds, and hay bales, and LIPS_ZIM team emphasized production, conservation, processing, utilization, and the nutritional benefits of these forage resources for livestock productivity.
Over 300 visitors engaged with the LIPS-Zim team, learning about alternative methods to adapt to climate change-induced droughts, such as the El Niño phenomenon which has necessitated the urgency for sustainable solutions like livestock production to maintain livelihoods.
At the LIPS-Zim stand there was also focus on livestock disease surveillance, featuring different tick species and educational materials on diseases. This information aids farmers in identifying tick species that cause various tickborne diseases and understanding control methods.
His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, The President of Zimbabwe, took note of the LIPS-Zim logo and the display of forage grasses and legumes, commending the LIPS_ZIM project for its efforts in promoting drought-resistant forage crops, and disease surveillance to prevent livestock deaths.
LIPS-Zim project team had the opportunity to share insights with, Hon. Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, the Vice President of Zimbabwe and Hon. Vangelis Haritatos the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, , who both visited the stand.
His Excellency Jobst von Kirchmann, the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe Ambassador , expressed interest in the legumes promoted by the LIPS-Zim project, such as sun hemp, lablab, and velvet bean. He was particularly impressed with the farmer training on disease surveillance, and control , stating, ‘This is good work towards empowering smallholder farmers, keep it up.’
Supported by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, the LIPS-Zim project has empowered over 5,000 farmers in nine districts in Zimbabwe's dry regions IV and V with knowledge on climate-smart innovations. These include on-farm feed formulation using fodder crops and tick identification for disease surveillance, and control .
The ZITF also facilitated networking opportunities for the LIPS-Zim project team, enabling sharing of ideas for future livestock-related development programs and collaborations with like-minded institutions. On the sidelines of the ZITF, LIPS-Zim project coordinator Sikhalazo Dube met with a delegation from Zimbabwe's embassy in Australia and New Zealand, the officials from the Global South Trade Alliance (Glosta) shared insights on embryo technologies in livestock that could accelerate national herd growth and research opportunities in agriculture.
Local media houses engaged with the LIPS-Zim stand, eager to understand how the project is helping smallholder farmers alleviate poverty and prevent livestock disease-related deaths. The stand also attracted visitors from other countries, including Botswana and Kenya. Officials from the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre visited to learn about the impact of forages on livestock production, considering the introduction of these concepts in targeted areas in their own country.
