Experts to discuss local solutions as Zimbabwe gobbles US$2 billion on grain, oil imports amid volatile international markets
A HIGH-level meeting has been called by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) to discuss ways of reducing Zimbabwe’s grain import bill and promoting local alternatives.
The bill, standing at US$2 billion annually, has been described as a national security vulnerability, with local solutions said to be necessary considering a volatile international market that has been hit hard by wars and hostile conflicts.
The strictly-by-invite meeting which will be attended by senior government officials, captains of industry, financiers, agro-processors and farmer representative bodies, seeks to align strategy and action on grains and oilseeds value chain localisation.