President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger collaboration between South Africa and Zimbabwe to boost food security, climate resilience and agricultural trade in the region.
Speaking at the official opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare on Friday, President Ramaphosa said agriculture remained central to both countries’ economies and vital to addressing unemployment and poverty.
He commended Zimbabwe for its reforms in irrigation, mechanisation and farmer support, noting the sector’s importance in driving economic recovery.
“We congratulate the government of Zimbabwe for the measures it is taking to revive the country’s agricultural sector,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Harare at the invitation of Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for a working visit. The President participated as a guest of honour in the official opening of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
The President stressed that climate change posed a growing threat to agriculture, with droughts already reducing yields across the region. He said countries needed to adapt through innovation, technology and joint initiatives.
“Collaboration among countries is critical,” the President said.
He also highlighted biosecurity as an area requiring regional cooperation, citing recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and bird flu. He said investment in research, seed provision, irrigation, training and agro-processing would help strengthen resilience and expand trade opportunities.
He urged the private sector in both countries to use the agriculture show as a platform to build partnerships and leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, agriculture accounts for between 60% and 80% of employment in the region. President Ramaphosa said creating a more enabling environment for small and medium-scale farmers, especially women and youth, was essential.
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is an annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society to facilitate and promote agricultural development in the country. Now in its 130th year, it continues to be a platform for promoting innovation, investment and cooperation in the agricultural sector. – SAnews.gov.za
