The 2020 edition of the Mashonaland West Agricultural Show is set to be held next week in Chinhoyi. This was announced by the Mashonaland West Provincial Agricultural Show Society this week.
Speaking to Business Event, the society’s chairman, Godfrey Mavankeni indicated that the event would run from 12 to 14 November, under the theme, “Food security through smart agriculture and resilience to climate change.” He indicated the events of each day would run from 0700 to 1700 hours.
“Our province is dominated by agricultural activities. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic destabilising things, we needed to do our part and play our role as the show society. We had to think outside the box so as to bring value to all our stakeholders who include the farmers, the government and the private sector,” Mavankeni said.
Mavankeni highlighted that the exhibition would go ahead as a hybrid event.
“The 73rd edition of the Mashonaland West Agricultural Show will be a hybrid show with different exhibiting platforms as we seek to add value to our exhibitors,” said.
The highlights of the show include an onsite exhibition, an online exhibition which would be supported by a website and Facebook as well as Instagram social media platforms. It is also going to include infomercials and live radio broadcasts.
“As the Mashonaland West Agricultural Society, we have embraced technology and therefore this show will reach the whole of Mash West Province because of virtual platforms we have put in place,” Mavankeni said.
The Mashonaland West show boss also stated that his society would use the show to partner the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension officers to launch the province’s Pfumvudza competition in which farmers who would have excelled at the programme would be rewarded.
Explaining the show’s theme, Mavankeni disclosed that it was partly inspired by the government’s devolution thrust.
“In light of the devolution (concept), it is of paramount importance that we build the GDP of Mashonaland West Province through ensuring food security. That can be achieved if we all work together for the betterment of the province,” he said.
Turning to the safety protocols of the event, Mavankeni said that the number of people manning exhibition stands would be limited and that all the stands would have sanitisers or soap and water for handwashing. Additionally, there would be temperature checks at the entrance gates and all people entering the fairground would be expected to wear face masks. He said that visitors would be allowed but their numbers would be monitored to ensure compliance with COVID-19 regulations. In line with the COVID-19 safety requirements, entertainment would be drastically reduced.
