Online Reporter
Fortune Makoni, Sunday News Reporter
FARMERS from across Bubi District showcased the district’s agricultural potential at the Inyathi Agricultural Show, exhibiting a diverse range of crops and livestock while using the platform to exchange knowledge and explore new markets.
The show, held under the theme “Celebrating Agriculture, Empowering Communities, Building the Future”, brought together farmers from Wards 1, 8, 11, 12, 15 and 22.
They displayed both indigenous and exotic crops, including maize, millet, sorghum, beans, wheat, soya beans, groundnuts, butternuts, potatoes and pumpkins.
The livestock section featured indigenous and exotic chickens, including broilers and layers, as well as turkeys, while some farmers exhibited cattle, donkeys, pigs and goats.
Beyond showcasing their produce, the agricultural show provided farmers with an opportunity to ex-change knowledge, interact with agricultural service providers and market their products to potential customers.
Assistant Bubi District development coordinator, Ms Lorraine Ndou, who was the guest of honour, urged farmers to increase food production while adopting climate-smart agricultural practices to strengthen resilience amid changing weather patterns.
She also emphasised the need to promote the participation of women and young people in agriculture, value addition and programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa as part of efforts to improve productivity and strengthen food security.
National Council of Chiefs president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, commended the growth of the agricultural show, saying it had evolved from a small gathering into an event attracting increasing numbers of participants and visitors.
“I urge participants to continue with the initiative and your involvement in agriculture is a noble under-taking. I also urge farmers to work closely with their agricultural extension officers for continued support and development,” he said.
Ms Gladys Thebe from Ward 12 emerged as the overall winner in all the categories and received an ox-drawn plough, knapsack sprayer, shovel, seed and other agricultural inputs.
The second runner-up received a wheelbarrow, shovel, slasher and seed, while the third runner-up won a 50kg roll of barbed wire, a knapsack sprayer and seed.
All farmers who exhibited their crops and livestock were also awarded certificates of participation.
Ms Rosemary Ben, who was among the winners in one of the garden produce categories, credited agricultural extension officers with helping her improve her farming skills.
“The knowledge I acquired has helped me improve my farming activities and produce enough to compete successfully at the agricultural show,” she said.
Ms Loice Manyeruke, who runs Garrison Farm with her husband, said winning prizes was also an opportunity to market their enterprise.
She received two shovels, a slasher, vegetable seeds and six bottles of chicken medicinal powder.
“The win is more of an exposure to us and that is our greatest achievement because people will get to know more about us, hence we gain more clientele,” she said.
Other farmers received prizes in various categories, including farming equipment, vegetable seeds and poultry medication.
The event attracted several stakeholders, including the Department of Veterinary Services, Bubi Rural District Council, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Grain Marketing Board and seed manufacturers.
The agricultural show also comes ahead of the Bubi District Business Expo and Agricultural Show, scheduled for September 17 and 18 at Inyathi Training Centre.
The forthcoming event is expected to provide another platform for farmers, businesses and other stakeholders to showcase products, forge partnerships and explore opportunities for local economic development.
