Sundaymail Editor
The exhibition of agricultural produce and livestock are the two pillars of the Harare Agricultural Show and have always dominated activities at the show since 1895.
As such, most of the exhibition stands during this year’s show will be occupied by companies and individuals in the sector.
Head of public relations of the society, Ms Heather Madombwe said that while questions had been raised as to why the show now accommodated almost all sectors instead of concentrating on agricultural produce, the situation on the ground was that almost 95 percent of the exhibitors were into agricultural production with some supporting services to the sector also coming in.
She said ZAS had developed the Exhibition Park into an enviable centre that attracts diversified local and foreign agricultural organisations. This was mostly archived through the contributions brought about by ZAS Show Section Committees which comprised of the Agricultural Produce Section, The Livestock Section, The Arena Events Section and the Home Industries Section.
These committees work tireless every year to see that the show sticks to its mandate, that of exhibiting agricultural produce.
“The agricultural produce and livestock sections were the foundation pillars that formed the Show Society in 1895 when five visionary men formed it with the aim of promoting agriculture in a country that had great agricultural potential,” she said.
“The August month was also chosen in line with the tradition that crops would have been harvested by then, livestock is also ready for exhibition in August,” she said.
Ms Madombwe said the 2015 show was unique in that those to exhibit in the livestock and agricultural sections will be winners from the provincial shows.
Since agriculture contributes to almost all sectors of the economy, many leading farmers who are active members of the community had been intertwined with every industry.
Ms Madombwe said that the Home Industries section was created in 1916 when Milton Cleveland and the then finance sub-committee proposed that there was need for a larger exhibition of domestic products from the towns and farms.
A permanent structure was thus erected in the showgrounds in 1920, owing to the growing success of the section.
“This year we are to have an assortment of cakes, jams and artwork which will be showcased in the Home Industries Section with a variety of similar goods being sold during the course of the week,” she said.
This section promotes healthy competition by exhibiting the best of what the country has to offer in stock, produce, machinery and implements relating to agriculture.
Not to be left out is the entertainment section which again dates back to the early formation of the show where the use of swordsmanship and the army band were included as show attractions. “The Glamis Arena will continue in its tradition to provide endless entertainment thr ough international show jumping, defence forces displays and live performances from leading artists in the music industry,’ said Ms Madombwe.
The annual event thus presents a platform for all sections of the economy to interact so that local farmers and agricultural giants can further their development and conquer new territories.
Online Reporter