New Ziana – The 114th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show kicked off on a high note this year, with a significant increase in the number of foreign and local exhibitors compared to last year, despite the ongoing El Niño-induced drought ravaging Southern Africa, an official has said.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, ZAS president Ngoni Kudenga said there has been a strong demand to exhibit at the annual event, which is a testament to the resilience and determination of the country’s agricultural sector.
“Despite the challenges posed by the drought, we have seen a remarkable increase in the number of local and foreign exhibitors at this year’s show as compared to last year. While we had only 5 foreign exhibitors last year, we are proud to welcome 12 this year, showcasing the growing interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential.
“For this year the available exhibit space is 78 224 m², a 2 percent increase from 77 000 m² that was there in 2023. This year the demand for exhibition space is very strong, with 564 exhibitors having taken up 78 224 m² of the total available space so far. This represents a significant increase from the previous year when 525 exhibitors occupied 73 000 m² of the available 77 000 m²,” he said.
To further support and empower the country’s farmers, Kudenga said the ZAS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, will soon be launching two significant initiatives.
The first will be the Master Farming program designed to provide comprehensive training and guidance to farmers, while the second will be the introduction of an agriculture diploma course aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of aspiring agricultural professionals.
“These new programs are a testament to our commitment to the sustainable development of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector,” he said.
“By investing in the education and training of our farmers and future agricultural leaders, we are laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and food-secure future for our nation,” he added.
The 114th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is expected to be a vibrant celebration of the country’s agricultural achievements, showcasing the latest technologies, innovative farming practices, and the unwavering spirit of the Zimbabwean farming community.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi was the guest of honor at this year’s event.
He toured exhibition stands with President Emmerson Mnangagwa before officially opening the showcase.
The show, which opened on Monday and ends this Saturday, is running under the theme, “Cultivating prosperity. Growing Business, Innovating for Change, Nurturing the Future”.
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