National Economic Consultative Forum AND THE Zimbabwe Agricultural Society
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2018 Annual National Agribusiness Conference Concept Note
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Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop
VENUE: Andy Millar Conference Centre ZAS Grounds
DATE: 29 August 2018
INTRODUCTION
The Annual National Agribusiness Conference (ANAC) is a high-level dialogue platform that discusses policy issues on the agricultural sector with a view to increasing its contribution to the national economy. The conference, which is a partnership of the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) started in 2013 and the 2018 Conference marks the 6th Edition of this popular event. Agriculture is the mainstay of the Zimbabwean economy contributing over 60% of the raw material to the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the sector is the major contributor to national employment with an estimated 70% of the population employed in the Agricultural Sector. Cognisant of this important contribution of the sector and the need to increase its production and productivity, an idea was conceived to have a special high-level dialogue platform on Agriculture where frank discussions and recommendations on how to steer the sector forward are made and thus giving rise to the birth on ANAC in 2013. The conference is held on the Wednesday of the Harare Agricultural Show week.
Over the past five years for which ANAC has been in existence, it produced critical recommendations and policy positions on Agriculture most of which have been taken on board by Government.
THE 2018 ANAC
The 2018 ANAC comes at an opportune time when there is a New Dispensation in terms of national governance in the country. The fact that the current Government is amenable to listening to the people`s views makes it more interesting to participate in the conference knowing that the contributions from the dialogue will be taken seriously. More importantly, the conference comes at a time when preparations for the 2018/19 summer cropping season will be afoot.
The focus of the 2018 Conference will be on the entire Value Chain of the Agricultural Sector and it will run under the theme “Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop”. In light of the theme, the conference seeks to consolidate, broaden and deepen value chains, while highlighting the inseparable linkages between sustained agricultural productivity, industry resuscitation and increased capacity utilisation, and the resultant improved economic growth.
DATE AND PLACE
The 2018 Edition of ANAC will be held on 29 August 2018 at the Andy Millar Conference Centre, Harare Exhibition Park
FORMAT OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference proceeds by way of presentations and discussions on interesting topics on Agriculture and development in Zimbabwe. There will also be a session for the official opening of the conference which is done at Presidium level.
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
The conference is known for its high level caliber of participants who are drawn from the constituencies below:-
NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONSULTATIVE FORUM
3rd Floor Old Reserve Bank Building
P.O Box CY 2285 Causeway, Harare
Tel: 701092/4; 792994/5; Fax: 701095
Website: www.necf.org.zw
13 July 2018
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE AT THE 6TH ANNUAL NATIONAL AGRI-BUSINESS CONFERENCE (ANAC) TO BE HELD ON 29th AUGUST 2018 AT THE ANDY MILLAR CONFERENCE CENTRE, HARARE SHOW GROUNDS.
The National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) in partnership with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) invites you to participate at the 6th Annual National Agri-Business Conference (ANAC) to be held on the 29th of August 2018 at the Andy Millar Conference Centre, Harare Exhibition Park.
The focus of the 2018 Conference is on the entire Value Chain of the Agricultural Sector and it will run under the theme “Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop”. In light of the theme, the conference seeks to consolidate, broaden and deepen value chains, while highlighting the inseparable linkages between sustained agricultural productivity, industry resuscitation and increased capacity utilisation, and the resultant improved economic growth.
It is in view of the foregoing that the NECF is cordially inviting your organisation to participate at the conference. Participation fee for the conference is $100 per individual.
To facilitate our arrangements for the conference, we would appreciate receiving the list of officials who will participate from your organisation by the 19th of August 2018.
For further information regarding participation at 2018 ANAC, kindly contact the following conference organisers:-
Or NECF Secretariat on 701092/792982, necf@necf.org.zw
We have attached the draft programme and the conference concept note for your reference.
N. M. Chakanetsa
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
