The Sunday Mail
Tanyaradzwa Kutaura and Tanaka Kadenge
THE young and the old, business executives, entrepreneurs, farmers and all manner of professionals all converged for this year’s Harare Agricultural Show.
From last Monday to yesterday, tens of thousands streamed into Exhibition Park, the traditional home of one of Africa’s oldest and grandest expos.
Nearly 500 stands were mounted, and away from the pleasure of business, show-goers indulged in the business of pleasure with entertainment provided by the likes of Alick Macheso, Jah Signal and Jah Prayzah.
The Harare Agric Show came to an explosive end last night with a massive firework display that illuminated the skies and could be seen in suburbs surrounding the capital’s CBD.
In all, it is estimated that more than 150 000 people passed through the gates of Exhibition Park for the 108th edition of the Harare Agric Show.
This year’s edition was themed “Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop”.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the Show on Friday, emphasising that agricultural growth was essential to economic development.
“Our nation takes pride in this premier agriculture event, which presents an opportunity for key stakeholders, decision-makers, Government, captains of industry and commerce to network and appreciate the ongoing developments from across the economic spectrum,” he said.
“The theme for this year’s exhibition, ‘Field to Industry: Produce, Connect develop’, is timely and speaks to our present national focus towards increased productivity and acceleration of the modernisation and mechanisation of our agricultural sector.
“… it is therefore, opportune that the Zimbabwe Agriculture Society chose this theme as agricultural growth is fundamental to sustainable socio-economic development and the improvement of the quality of life of our citizenry.”
Among the popular exhibitors were ZimParks and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, whose stands always draw huge crowds.
The Zimbabwe Agriculural Society organises the Harare Agric Show annually to promote economic development by linking various stakeholders to each other and their existing and potential markets.
Established in 1895, and operating as voluntary member-based organisation, ZAS is the oldest convener and host of agricultural, commercial and industrial shows in Zimbabwe.
