Harare:South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Harare this Friday to officially open the 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), Zimbabwe’s leading annual trade and agriculture exhibition.
The event, which began on Monday and will run for an entire week, has already attracted hundreds of attendees. Among them are schoolchildren actively participating in exhibitions and interactive activities. This year’s edition is being held under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.”
Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, confirmed President Ramaphosa’s participation. He added that further details regarding the President’s itinerary would be released in due course.
A total of 505 exhibitors have confirmed participation in this year’s event, with 12 international companies represented. These firms come from countries including Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, India, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Rufaro Alfred Gunundu, CEO of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, expressed satisfaction with the organisation and progress of the show. He noted that preparations were going smoothly and said organisers remained hopeful that more exhibitors would still join. Gunundu underscored the importance of the event as a platform to highlight Zimbabwe’s agricultural successes while also addressing ongoing challenges in the sector.
This year’s edition features a rich and diverse programme. Highlights include a schools’ quiz competition, a business breakfast focusing on food security, the annual National Agricultural Business Conference, and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards. The schedule also includes a conference on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, a Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology indaba, and a networking cocktail for exhibitors.
Competitions remain a central attraction. Around 300 provincial winners are set to compete across various categories assessed by a regional panel. The livestock section alone has attracted 499 entries, while over 1,600 entries have been recorded in the agri-produce categories from 112 farmers.
As one of Zimbabwe’s premier national events, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show continues to draw thousands of visitors each year, playing a key role in advancing regional agricultural development and promoting collaboration within the industrial sector.
