At the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, the EU-funded STOSAR II project took centre stage through a high-level policy dialogue focused on strengthening Zimbabwe’s agricultural competitiveness by linking data systems directly to market opportunities. The event, convened by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development together with FAO, the EU, and the SADC Secretariat, reviewed progress under the regional agriculture policy framework and outlined the next phase of implementation aimed at building more competitive and market-oriented agrifood systems across Southern Africa.
STOSAR II builds on lessons from its first phase and aligns with broader regional strategies such as the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy, RISDP 2020–2030, and CAADP. In Zimbabwe, stakeholders highlighted how integrated data systems, stronger plant and animal health structures, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and inclusive value chains are reshaping the sector into a market-driven engine of growth. The country’s strong institutional coordination and policy commitment were recognised as key reasons for its strong performance under the programme.
A key message from the discussions was the shift from data generation to real market impact. Officials stressed that STOSAR II is designed to connect smallholder farmers to structured value chains, improve access to finance and inputs, and support climate-resilient farming systems. It also called for stronger engagement from the private sector, including processors, exporters, logistics providers, and financial institutions to unlock scalable agribusiness opportunities.
Technical discussions under the four pillars of the project focused on agricultural information systems, market access through plant and animal health, food and nutrition security, and inclusive value chains. Experts noted that effective disease surveillance and coordination are essential not only for livestock health but also for maintaining trade access and investor confidence in agricultural markets.
Speakers from different sectors emphasized that competitiveness depends on coordinated systems rather than isolated production. Market access, compliance with standards, and farmer organisation were highlighted as critical factors in linking producers to structured markets. Health sector representatives also pointed to the importance of integrating agricultural and health data systems to better understand nutrition and food security outcomes.
Participants agreed that data only becomes valuable when it translates into actionable decisions and improved market outcomes. Standards in plant health, animal health, and food safety were described as enablers of trade rather than barriers, while smallholder farmers were recognised as central actors in driving inclusive growth. The importance of public-private partnerships, youth involvement, and farmer-centred interventions was also strongly reinforced.
Looking ahead, STOSAR II implementation in Zimbabwe will focus on strengthening real-time agricultural data systems, improving disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity, and expanding nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives. The project will also scale up inclusive value chain development and deepen collaboration between public and private actors, with the aim of building a more resilient, competitive, and market-oriented agricultural sector.
