This year’s edition of the Mashonaland Central Agricultural Show will focus on coming up with innovative solutions for the development of agriculture and other aspects of the province’s economy. This was revealed by the Mashonaland Central Agricultural Show Society Chairman, Christopher Chingwaru in a recent engagement with Business Events.
The show has been penciled for 29 July to 2 August and it will run under the theme: “Innovative solutions for development” in Bindura.
Chingwaru indicated that some of the highlights of this year’s show include sessions where small scale farmers will be taught good agronomical practices.
“In line with our theme, we have lined up some agricultural experts who will impart knowledge on good agronomical practices to enhance their farming and improve yields,” he said.
The show society chairman added that the show would have a concurrent business conference running alongside the show.
“Last year we held our inaugural concurrent event – the business conference – and this year will not be different. Last year it was attended by about 80 people, which was good for an inaugural event. This year we are expecting well in excess of 100 people as the event gains momentum,” Chingwaru said.
In terms of the types and profiles of the exhibitors which visitors should expect at the show, Chingwaru commented that over the years, exhibition brings together a cross section of exhibitors from various economic sectors of the province.
“We will have seed houses and mining companies. Suppliers of various goods and services to the various sectors of the province’s economy from both Mashonaland Central and other provinces will be represented at the show. The province’s 10 local authorities, government ministries, departments, parastatals and private players which benefit from such events will also be exhibiting,” he said.
The show society leader highlighted that this year’s edition of the exhibition would include a school children’s days on 30 and 31 July where school children’s entry fee will be reduced to dollar.
Commenting on the society’s plans for the future, Chingwaru stated that it was planning to sweat its fairground for both growth and revenue improvement.
“We intended to expand the number of stands that we offer during the show from the current 145 and make the most of our 11.5 hectare showground by putting up infrastructure like shopping malls and halls that can be hired out to widen our revenue base. Given that the show is a community initiative, these infrastructure items would boost the number and type of services available to the community we serve,” he said.
Chingwaru highlighted that since taking over the running of the show, the society had pushed for the development of more buildings in the showground and drilled two boreholes which have improved the availability and quality of water.
Chingwaru explained why the show was renamed last year from the Mazowe Valley Agricultural Show to the Mashonaland Central Agricultural Show.
“The Mazowe Valley Agricultural Show was mainly about the activities of the white former commercial farmers of Mazowe up to Shamva, but when we took over in 2000, we realised that agricultural activities covered the whole province. The name of the show had to reflect this provincial outlook. The farmers who exhibit at the show come from all the eight districts of the province such as Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin and so on. It should be noted that the name change was effected in 2023, but have been operating as a provincial show since 2000,” he said.
The show society leader promised a lot of entertainment during the show.
“There will be lots of entertainment for both children and adults. These include jumping castles, quad bike rides, horse rides, mobile swimming pools and a lot more. For adults there will be popular musical bands and musicians, whose identities we cannot disclose at this stage as negotiations are still in progress. Another drawcard is the National Parks, which normally brings live animals to its stand,” he said.