Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu, Zimpapers Senior Reporter
SOUTH African President, Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially open the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) in Harare this Friday.
The week-long event kicked off on Monday, with hundreds of people, including children, visiting the exhibition stands and participating in the various activities on offer.
This year’s event runs under the theme: “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.”
Foreign Affairs and International Trade secretary, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi confirmed President Ramaphosa will officially open this year’s agricultural show.
“Yes, President Ramaphosa will officially open this year’s agricultural show,” he said.
“More details will be shared in the days to come.”
At least 505 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s show, these include 12 international foreign exhibitors from Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, India, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
ZAS chief executive Mr Rufaro Alfred Gunundu also said: “We are expecting a good agricultural show this season.
“We are happy about the preparations. So far, we are on top of everything. We have prepared well for the show and we are expecting the number of exhibitors to rise.
“The show remains a key platform to showcase the achievements of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and engage on opportunities and challenges affecting the industry.”
This year’s show will host activities including a schools’ quiz tournament as well as a food security business breakfast meeting to give executives, industrialists and Government officials an opportunity to network and come up with solutions to production challenges.
The show is also expected to hold an annual National Agricultural business conference and exhibitors cocktail party.
There will also be Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards, Environmental, Social and Governance conference and Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology indaba.
The ZAS Show section will also feature 300 provincial winners from nationwide competitions, judged by a regional panel.
There are 499 entries from the livestock section and 1 636 entries for agri-produce from 112 farmers.
