20/09/2026
🇿🇼 CALL TO ACTION TO YOUNG FARMERS, YOUTH & WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
NACE2026: From Agricultural Potential to Practical Action
By Dr Joseph Kakoto
President, Zimbabwe Young Farmers for Sustainable Development (ZiYFA-SD)
I call upon Zimbabwe’s young farmers, youth, women in agriculture, agribusiness entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers and agricultural stakeholders to participate in the National Agriculture Conference and Expo 2026 ( ) taking place on 24–25 September 2026 at the Diamond Conference Centre, University of Zimbabwe.
The conference is being held under the theme:
> “Transforming Agriculture for Resilience, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”
A key objective announced for is to develop a localisation strategy aimed at addressing Zimbabwe’s US$2 billion agricultural import bill, while strengthening domestic production and value chains.
🌱 YOUNG FARMERS MUST BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION
As ZiYFA-SD, we believe young people should not only be viewed as beneficiaries of agricultural programmes. Young farmers must be active participants in designing solutions, producing food, building businesses, creating employment and developing the agricultural value chains of tomorrow.
Women and youth are equally important to this transformation.
Our contribution must move beyond talking about agriculture to asking practical questions:
How do we increase local production?
How do we strengthen access to land, finance, irrigation and mechanisation?
How can young farmers access reliable markets and contract opportunities?
How do we reduce post-harvest losses and improve value addition and processing?
How can technology and innovation make agriculture more productive?
How can agriculture create sustainable businesses and decent opportunities for young people?
How can Zimbabwe produce competitively for both domestic and regional markets?
🇿🇼 ALIGNING WITH NDS2
These conversations are relevant to Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) 2026–2030, which includes priorities such as agricultural mechanisation, irrigation, agricultural extension, innovation and modernisation, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural inputs, market-driven production and value-chain development.
For young farmers, NDS2 should translate into practical opportunities on the ground—productive land, skills, finance, technology, infrastructure, markets and enterprises that can grow.
📊 THE IMPACT & INSIGHTS WE SHOULD TAKE FROM
The real value of a conference should not end when the conference closes.
The important question is:
What practical actions, partnerships, investments and measurable commitments will emerge from the conversation?
For young farmers and women in agriculture, the event can provide an important platform to share experiences, identify barriers, connect with potential partners and contribute ideas on how localisation can work throughout the agricultural value chain.
Let us listen. Let us learn. Let us contribute. Let us connect. Most importantly, let us act.
Zimbabwe's agricultural transformation requires participation from farmers, government, agribusiness, financiers, researchers, technology providers, processors, retailers and logistics players across the value chain.
🚜 MY CALL TO ACTION
Young Farmers of Zimbabwe — this is your sector.
Youth in Agriculture — bring your ideas.
Women in Agriculture — bring your experience, businesses and solutions.
Agribusiness Entrepreneurs — bring investment and innovation.
Let us make more than an event. Let it become a platform for practical conversations that translate into production, investment, markets, jobs and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Invest in Young Farmers. Invest in Agriculture. Invest in Zimbabwe's Future.
Dr Joseph Kakoto
President — Zimbabwe Young Farmers for Sustainable Development (ZiYFA-SD)
“Our Land. Our Food. Our Life.”
NACE2026 | 24–25 September 2026 | Diamond Conference Centre, University of Zimbabwe
[NACE2026 registration and information](http://nace.co.zw?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Join the agricultural conversation:
[NACE2026 WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaoNKxw3LdQT2MvBHD1g?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Discussion question:
👉 **What one practical action should Zimbabwe take now to help young farmers and women in agriculture move from participation to real production, investment and market success?**
