Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
FARMERS, businesses and investors have converged in Gwanda for the 68th Matabeleland South Agricultural Show, with organisers urging growers to take advantage of new partnerships, markets and technologies that can help transform their farming enterprises and improve livelihoods.
Running from Thursday to Saturday under the theme “Unlocking New Opportunities through Collaboration”, this year’s show is designed to bring together key players from across the agricultural value chain, creating opportunities for farmers to access markets, finance, technology and business partnerships.
The exhibition is expected to provide a vital platform for connecting farmers with financial institutions, mining companies, manufacturers and suppliers of modern agricultural technologies, while also exposing them to new ideas that can improve productivity and profitability.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, is expected to officially open the exhibition tomorrow.
The three-day showcase has attracted a wide range of exhibitors, including crop and livestock farmers, Government ministries and departments, parastatals, seed companies, non-governmental organisations, uniformed forces and funeral service providers.
Beyond displaying products and services, the show offers farmers an opportunity to interact with industry leaders, explore commercial opportunities and learn about modern farming practices that can strengthen their operations.
Matabeleland South Agricultural Show Society president Ms Sheron Dewa said exhibitor response had been encouraging, with several new participants joining this year’s event.
She said the exhibition’s central focus was on collaboration and forging meaningful partnerships that can unlock new business opportunities.
“Our theme, ‘Unlocking new opportunities through collaboration’ emphasises the importance of partnership in driving development. This event provides a platform for stakeholders, including farmers, businesses, and community organisations, to come together and explore new opportunities in business, aiming to foster partnerships that promote economic growth and development.
“By integrating productive farming systems, technological innovation, market access, and strong commercial partnerships, stakeholders can strengthen agricultural value chains, business and service delivery; improve productivity, create employment, enhance food security, and drive inclusive rural transformation and sustainable economic growth,” she said.
Ms Dewa said agriculture remains the backbone of Matabeleland South’s economy, which is predominantly rural, making it essential for farmers to work together and build synergies that improve production and expand market opportunities.
She said the annual agricultural show serves as a catalyst for long-term investment, enterprise development and market expansion by bringing together stakeholders from across the agricultural spectrum.
According to Ms Dewa, collaboration between farmers, communities, industry, businesses and both the public and private sectors is critical to the growth of the province’s agricultural sector.
She said the show creates a unique environment where stakeholders can build relationships, exchange ideas and develop partnerships that ultimately increase incomes and strengthen value chains.
“Through this show, the communal farmers have a platform to market or showcase their products on a big platform and also access services which they don’t access on a day-to-day basis. This platform is crucial for boosting local economies and bridging the gap between rural farmers and urban consumers.
“This is a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, market exposure, and networking. These exhibitions allow farmers to showcase premium livestock and crops and to discover modern farming techniques,” she said.
Ms Dewa said exhibitor turnout had improved significantly compared to previous years, with participants coming from all seven districts of the province as well as other parts of the country.
She said both crop and livestock farmers had responded positively to the exhibition, reflecting growing interest in agricultural development and commercialisation.
To ensure broad participation, organisers have maintained affordable entry fees of US$1 for children and US$2 for adults.
Visitors can also look forward to a variety of entertainment activities, including skydiving displays, horse jumping competitions, fire-jumping motorbike stunts, drama performances, majorettes, musical acts and quizzes.
Ms Dewa said the long-term goal was to ensure that the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show continues to grow and improve with each edition.
Agricultural exhibitions have increasingly become important platforms for farmers seeking contracts, access to finance and knowledge about climate-smart and climate-resilient farming practices.
The provincial exhibition is the culmination of a series of ward, zone, cluster and district agricultural expos, shows and seed fairs held throughout Matabeleland South, which serve as feeder events to the main showcase.
The decentralisation of agricultural shows forms part of Government’s broader strategy to expose farmers at grassroots level to innovation, technology and high-value agricultural production methods.
Through such platforms, farmers are able to market their produce, build business networks, learn new technologies, explore value-addition opportunities and identify potential markets for their products.
