Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South’s agricultural sector is poised for a major networking and business boost as the province hosts the 68th edition of the Matabeleland South Agriculture Show in Gwanda from tomorrow to Saturday, bringing together farmers, financiers, agribusinesses, miners and technology providers on a single platform.
Running under the theme, “Unlocking New Opportunities through Collaboration”, the three-day exhibition is expected to go beyond showcasing agricultural produce and livestock by creating opportunities for farmers to access markets, financing, modern technologies and strategic partnerships across the agricultural value chain.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe is expected to officiate as guest of honour.
The show comes at a time when the province is seeking to strengthen agricultural production, value addition and market linkages while building resilience against climate change and other production challenges.
Matabeleland South Agriculture Show Society president Ms Sheron Dewa said collaboration among stakeholders was critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
“This year’s theme highlights 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,” she said.
Ms Dewa said the exhibition would bring together local and regional exhibitors, farmers, communities, mining and manufacturing companies, as well as public and private sector players from across the agricultural value chain.
“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 the show was designed to create tangible economic opportunities for farmers and businesses, rather than merely providing exhibition space.
The platform will enable farmers to showcase livestock and crop production, engage potential buyers, explore value-addition opportunities, learn about climate-resilient farming methods and interact with financial institutions on funding options.
Ms Dewa said the ultimate objective was to strengthen partnerships and increase incomes throughout the agricultural value chain.
“This platform is crucial for boosting local economies and bridging the gap between rural farmers and urban consumers. They provide a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, market exposure, and networking. They allow farmers to showcase premium livestock and crops and to discover modern farming techniques,” she said.
The show is also expected to strengthen linkages between agriculture and other key sectors of the provincial economy, particularly mining, manufacturing and financial services.
For a province with a significant livestock and crop-producing base, such linkages can provide farmers with improved access to inputs, technology, financing, processing facilities and reliable markets.
Last year’s exhibition attracted regional participation, including an exhibitor from Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa, highlighting the potential for the provincial show to evolve into a regional business and agricultural hub.
Preparations for this year’s event have been decentralised to grassroots level, with ward, zone, cluster and district agricultural expos, shows and seed fairs held across the province in the lead-up to the main exhibition.
These grassroots events have become an important feeder system for the provincial show, allowing farmers to showcase innovations and products while identifying emerging talent and production trends within communities.
The decentralisation of agricultural exhibitions forms part of Government’s broader drive to ensure innovation, technology and high-value agricultural practices reach farmers at community level rather than remaining concentrated at provincial or national platforms.
Through agricultural shows, farmers are able to market their produce, establish business networks, learn about new technologies, improve visibility, explore value-addition opportunities, benchmark themselves against other producers and identify new markets.
Ms Dewa said the society was also appealing to the business community to partner in improving the showgrounds and ensuring the exhibition continues to grow.
She said the objective was to make the agricultural show bigger and better each year while increasing its economic impact on the province.
Agriculture remains one of the key pillars underpinning Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda, with the sector expected to contribute significantly to food security, employment creation, rural industrialisation and improved livelihoods.
