GOVERNMENT has taken a step towards enhancing its livestock value chain through potential collaboration with Saudi Arabia.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri met with a delegation from the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) in Harare yesterday.
The delegation included Mayank Jain, Ahmed Sameer Bujubarah and Sale Mohamed Alamri, who engaged in discussions aimed at fostering mutual investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. In an interview with NewsDay Weekender after the meeting, Jiri expressed optimism about the prospects of this collaboration.
“We are excited about the opportunities that could arise from working with SALIC. Their expertise in the livestock sector could significantly enhance our capacity to, not only meet local demand, but also tap into regional and international markets,” he said.
“This potential partnership is in line with our commitment to modernising the agricultural sector and improving food security in Zimbabwe.”
Jiri noted that the collaboration could lead to the introduction of new technologies and practices that would benefit Zimbabwean farmers.
“The discussions also highlighted the possibility of technical assistance and knowledge transfer, which could help Zimbabwe adopt more advanced livestock management practices,” he said
The SALIC delegation also expressed interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential and acknowledged the country’s strategic importance in the region.
Jain, representing SALIC, stated that: “Zimbabwe has a rich history in agriculture, and we see great potential in partnering with the government to enhance the livestock sector. Our discussions today have laid a strong foundation for future co-operation.”
Both parties are keen on developing a roadmap that will outline specific areas of collaboration and timelines for implementation.
Similarly, an agronomist from the Agriculture ministry, Tendai Chikukwa, commented on the potential benefits of the partnership, emphasising the importance of international cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges.
“Collaborations like these are crucial for developing countries like Zimbabwe. The expertise and investment from a company like SALIC could revolutionise our livestock value chain, from breeding and feed production to processing and marketing,” Chikukwa said.
“This is an opportunity to learn from global best practices and implement them in our local context.”
Meanwhile, the meeting marks the beginning of what could be a transformative partnership for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, with further discussions expected to take place in the coming months.