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Herald Reporter
Preparations for the 113th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) are at an advanced stage with over 460 companies and institutions having so far booked space to participate at the annual event.
This year’s show which runs from August 28 to 2 September will be held under the theme ”Sustained growth: adaptation, productivity and linkages.”
ZAS chief executive officer Dr Andrew Matibiri said preparations for the show were now at an advanced stage with 189 of the 460 interested companies already paid up for the exhibition.
”Preparations are going on well . The amount of space is similar to last year and work is in progress with exhibitors busy renovating and planting flowers to beautify their stands. Those who have not paid up are coming through to pay,” he said.
ZAS head of programmes and public affairs officer, Mr Tawonga Miriyoni said there was need to adapt to climate change in the agriculture value chain so that businesses remained productive .
He said this year they had lined up a number of activities including five business forums.
”On Monday we have a diplomatic business network discussion on climate smart agriculture. We also have a Rugby tournament on Monday to Friday and the winner will be awarded the prize by His Excellency, the President on Friday. On Tuesday we have a national primary schools quiz . Musical entertainment will be available and as usual fire crackers will also be there,” he said.
He also indicated that for an organisation to sustain there is a need to adapt and produce a network of linkages so as to achieve sustained growth.
Farmers this year are optimistic that this year’s agricultural show will be better than the previous years adding that they would be given an opportunity to demonstrate and prove their mettle in the sector.
Mrs Munoda Murape said most farmers were into crop production, piggery and poultry production adding that at this year’s agriculture show, they expected farmers to bring such produce and demonstrate its usefulness to people.
”Farmers are doing amazing things out there but bringing such initiatives will definitely motivate other people thereby uplifting the sector if more farmers are tempted to join such productive initiatives,”she said.
Another farmer Ms Pauline Mawire of Waterfalls indicated that her main expectation is to network with various stakeholders in the agricultural industry to improve efficiency.
“Through the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show farmers also want to know what the market wants in terms of the commodities, quality and volumes which should then lead to farmers signing the agreements with suppliers and the market,”she said.
The agriculture sector is one of Zimbabwe’s major economic sectors and the Government has continued to roll out a number of initiatives to boost productivity in the sector.
Such initiatives include the National Enhanced Agricultural Production Scheme, Presidential climate proofed and Presidential rural horticulture and livestock programmes.
The agriculture sector has already hit the initial 2025 target of becoming a US$8,2 billion industry after the industry grew by 36,2 percent to US$8,19 billion in 2021. In 2020, the Government launched the Agriculture and Food Systems Strategy as an integral part of the national development agenda being driven by President Mnangagwa.
The strategy is underpinned by growing the economy, ensuring Zimbabwe grows its own food and ensuring that a vast swathe of rural families moves from poverty to growing affluence with the production rises spread right across the sectors.
Online Reporter