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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
ALL roads in Rusape will today (Friday) lead to Vengere Stadium for the Makoni Agricultural Show which is making a return following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before the lockdown induced break, the show had grown from strength to strength, with companies and farmers jostling for space to exhibit their products and services there.
Due to the growth of the show which had graduated from being an exhibition of small-scale farmers to a multi-faceted three-day event, the Department of Agritex has since relinquished full control of the event and a show society is now in charge.
This year’s event is being graced by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Dr John Basera, who will officially open it.
Several parastatals, agro-dealers, private companies, banks, micro-finance house, commercial and small-scale farmers, local authorities, schools and churches, among others, will be exhibiting.
Makoni District Agronomist, Mr Mahlupeko Chowafa said 32 corporate exhibitors and 78 farmers confirmed their participation at the show.
“The Makoni Agricultural Show is back after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was overwhelming response from traditional and first time exhibitors as witnessed by the stampede to book for exhibition. This year, we had irresistible incentives by not charging both the exhibitors and visitors.
“There is a lot to showcase, from crops to livestock. Makoni is one of the top tobacco growing areas in the country and also a leading wheat producing district. In terms of food crops, we are the breadbasket of the province as we produce virtually everything, thanks to our ecological conditions,” he said.
Mr Chowafa said a lot of prizes are up for grabs by the exhibitors, while visitors stand chances to buy goods and services at discounted rates.
He also said plans are underway for the society to raise funds to construct their stand-alone exhibition park.
“We are mobilising resources to develop our showground opposite St Joseph’s High School in Rusape. The land was donated to the society by Makoni Rural District Council, but financial constraints are deterring us from coming up with a permanent site that will further grow the show,” said Mr Chowafa.
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