Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Features Writer
Beneath the bustling skyline of Harare, something extraordinary is taking shape.
As winter gives way to early spring, Zimbabwe’s capital city is preparing to host one of its most iconic national events — the 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) — scheduled to run from August 25 to 30. But this year’s event is more than just a calendar highlight.
It marks 130 years of celebrating Zimbabwe’s agricultural journey, a story of resilience, innovation and the hard work of farmers across the country.
From tobacco fields of Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central to the fish ponds of Mudzi, Mashonaland East farmers are not only preparing to exhibit their achievements but to learn, connect and grow through shared knowledge and new opportunities.
According to the 2024/25 Crop and Livestock Assessment Report (CLAFA-2), Zimbabwe recorded one of its most productive agricultural seasons in recent memory.
Maize production climbed to 2,29 million tonnes, the fourth-highest output in the country’s history, from a planted area of 1,84 million hectares.
The wheat story has been even more remarkable. A record 563 961 tonnes of wheat were harvested, placing Zimbabwe among the only two African nations that are now wheat self-sufficient.
Currently, farmers are envisaged to deliver over 600 000 tonnes after 122 000 hectares have been planted—above the 120 000-hectare target.
This rise has been largely driven by increased irrigation capacity and targeted Government support for winter cereal production. Tobacco, a key export crop, also performed strongly.
A total of 344 million kilogrammes were sold, generating a remarkable US$1,147 billion in revenue, a 47,3 percent increase compared to last season.
Cotton production rose by 52 percent, sunflower output jumped by over 300 percent and the national cattle herd expanded to 5,7 million, with beef output reaching 94 600 tonnes.
Fisheries also registered significant growth, with fish production doubling from 18 000 to 35 000 tonnes.
These figures are more than just statistics; they are proof of a sector on the rebound, powered by both smallholders and commercial producers who are working tirelessly to restore Zimbabwe’s position as a regional agricultural leader.
Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Matadi, a farmer from Lion’s Den, among others, is already redefining the agricultural landscape.
Matadi is a successful tobacco grower, he delivered more than 300 bales this season and has expanded into winter wheat production, planting over 55 hectares.
“Tobacco keeps foreign currency coming in. Wheat ensures grain at home,” he said. “This year’s show is a chance for me to learn how to adopt new technology and improve efficiency.”
For farmers like him, agribusiness is no longer just about planting and harvesting — it is about knowledge, innovation and value addition.
In the small farming community of Mutwa in Mt Darwin, Welphone Munaki is also preparing for the show.
A former subsistence maize grower, he turned to tobacco five years ago and has since transformed his household.
With the profits, he has built a better home, bought irrigation equipment and sent his children to school.
“I expect to learn more about markets and how to grow this into a real business,” he said.
Munaki is also considering branching into wheat or sunflower, inspired by national trends and the potential for off-season income.
From Guruve, Tiriko Mutyavaviri has built a thriving livestock business.
His herd of over 100 cattle, including Brahman, Boran and Mashona breeds, is a testament to his hard work and adaptation.
“The beef market has improved, but we still need access to affordable feed and better veterinary services,” he said.
Mutyavaviri plans to use his time at the show to connect with experts in animal nutrition and explore technologies that improve pasture and animal health.
Meanwhile, in the semi-arid district of Mudzi, Innocent Kazanhi is making waves in horticulture and fish farming.
He cultivates vegetables and raises tilapia in ponds supported by the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme.
“Fish, fruit and vegetables feed my family and bring income even during the dry season,” he said.
Kazanhi’s priority at this year’s show is to learn more about renewable energy options and sustainable irrigation systems that could help him scale up his operations.
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) is expecting 580 exhibitors for this year’s showcase.
As of mid-July, 304 had already confirmed their participation, with 63 000 square metres of exhibition space booked out of the targeted 89 000.
The theme for this year, “Building Bridges, Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Communities”, underscores the event’s strategic importance as more than a display platform.
It is a meeting place where farmers, policymakers, researchers, financiers, and technology innovators engage and collaborate.
Among the main events on the calendar are the National Agribusiness Conference, the ESG Conference, focusing on sustainable development practices, the Research and Technology Indaba and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards, which honour outstanding journalism in agriculture.
Several foreign embassies are also expected to participate, showcasing their countries’ agricultural innovations and exploring investment partnerships.
ZAS chief executive officer Mr Rufaro Gunundu said the show is about shaping the future of agriculture through knowledge sharing and opportunity creation.
“We aim to foster deeper collaborations and unlock innovation-driven opportunities for farmers and agribusiness,” he said.
To support the growing number of attendees, the Society has invested in infrastructure upgrades.
These include new entry points, secure parking and child ID-tagging systems to enhance safety.
Entertainment will be in full swing at Glamis Arena with live music performances, fireworks displays, and family-friendly activities designed to thrill audiences.
Agriculture continues to contribute around 18 percent of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product and remains the primary source of livelihood for most rural communities.
Thanks to inclusive policies such as land reform, contract farming models and input support schemes, over 85 percent of Zimbabwe’s tobacco is now grown by smallholder farmers — a major shift from the large-scale white-commercial dominance of past decades.
Despite this progress, challenges remain.
Farmers face high input costs, limited access to affordable financing, and increasing climate variability.
Yet the gains are undeniable, Zimbabwe is becoming wheat secure, its farmers now anticipating exporting the surplus and its rural economies are diversifying into new value chains such as sunflower, aquaculture and organic horticulture.
For farmers like Matadi, Munaki, Mutyavaviri and Kazanhi, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is not just a national celebration — it is a launchpad.
It offers the tools and connections to move from surviving to thriving and from tradition to innovation.
The curtain officially rises on August 29, but the spirit of resilience and growth is already alive in every hectare planted, every bale sold and every farmer preparing for a bigger, bolder agricultural future.
Peter Tanyanyiwa