All set for provincial agricultural show

MARONDERA- All is set for the province’s 2023 agricultural show exhibition which begins
this Wednesday and ends on Saturday.
Themed: “Inclusive Agricultural Transformation for Beneficiation,” the official opening of the
show will be on Friday while the following day will see off the fair being closed by
entertainment headlined by Chiremerera hitmaker Jah Prayzah, police displays and
exhibition parades as well as fireworks.
Several Government and private institutions have spruced up their stands in readiness of the
show which will give them an opportunity to showcase their goods and services again along
their value chains.
In an interview with Chaminuka News, the Mashonaland East Provincial Agricultural Show
Society (MEPASS) general manager Tonderai Choga said it is all systems go for this year’s
exhibition.

“We have done all the work necessary for this year’s provincial agricultural show and our
exhibitors are raring to go. Judging by the developments on the ground, spaces and
permanent structures have been spruced up. The majority of our usual exhibitors will be
exhibiting again and we have new players who have joined us,
“As MEPASS, we have started preparing for this year’s show and we are expecting our
usual exhibitors to showcase their goods and services and there will be new exhibitors that
include the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and a cotton research company from
Kadoma.
“For the first time and for the benefit of members of the public, the OPC will be there to
decipher how they operate. People have their other conceptions about the country’s
operatives in this security sector and those with any questions or queries will have their
concerns addressed. That will be a big plus for us as a province.
“Even though Mashonaland East is not known for growing cotton, there are areas where we
have farmers who passionately grow the crop. Such farmers will have the know-how as we
have a cotton research company from Kadoma that will be part of our exhibitors,” Choga
said.
Referring to the theme of this year’s show, Choga said it was necessarily inspired by the
need to encourage farmers to consider means of beneficiation after growing their crops.
He said: “The country’s agriculture sector is the backbone of our economy and it is all-
encompassing. Farmers, stakeholders and all Zimbabweans in general should benefit
financially, socially and economically. People must change their perception of farming and
farmers should strive to have their crops beneficiated. In a big way, the transformation of
agriculture should lead us to have finished products.”
Usual exhibitors at the provincial show include the Environmental Management Agency
(EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Zimbabwe National Army, Grain Marketing
Board (GMB), Public Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS), the Municipality of Marondera
and the National AIDS Council (NAC), among others.
The country’s 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 and three
years ago, the Government launched the Agriculture and Food Systems Strategy as an
integral part of the national development agenda driven by President Mnangagwa.
The strategy is underpinned by growing the economy to ensure that Zimbabwe grows its
own food whilst ensuring families especially in the rural areas moves from poverty to growing
affluence.