Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
The Manicaland Agricultural Show has opened its gates, showcasing a vibrant array of products from over 130 exhibitors and promising to be a highlight of the provincial agricultural calendar.
Manicaland Agricultural Show Society administrator Mrs Pedzisai Rusero announced that more exhibitors are expected to join those who have already arrived.
“We are pleased this year as we will host a larger event than last year. We have already registered 28 new exhibitors compared to 14 last year, marking a 50 per cent increase in new exhibitors.
“As of Wednesday, we had 130 registered exhibitors. Our target for this year is 150, meaning we have already surpassed last year’s goal.
“We encourage the community to come in large numbers.
“This year’s show will feature more than the confirmed 150 exhibitors, as more are still arriving. Last year, there were 140 exhibitors over the entire duration of the event, which we are confident of surpassing significantly this time around,” said Mrs Rusero.
This year’s event runs under the theme: “Agriculture in Driving Sustainable Economic Growth” and is expected to continue until Sunday.
Mrs Rusero stated that gate charges for the five-day event are US$3 per day for adults and US$2 for children, rising to US$4 and US$3 today, and US$5 for adults tomorrow, with US$3 for children, as there will be a musical show featuring popular artists Oriyano, Nisha Ts, and Master H.
On the business front, Mrs Rusero noted that with the influx of new exhibitors, business opportunities are substantial. “We have created a very conducive environment for our exhibitors,” she said.
Although business was still picking up yesterday, exhibitors had set up their stands, and schoolchildren were visiting in large numbers.
The show will be officially opened this morning by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
