Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE 2024 edition of the Manicaland Agricultural Show, set for September 19 to 21, promises to be an event to remember as 113 exhibitors have already been registered, let alone the high catalogue of entertainment that has been lined up.
The show will be running under the theme: “Industrialise, Commercialise for Sustainable Growth”.
Manicaland Agricultural and Show Society administrator, Mrs Pedzisai Rusere on Wednesday, said preparations for this year’s edition are at an advanced stage.
“Our show will be held from September 19 to 21, and so far we have registered 113 exhibitors, out of which eight are new companies. We also have exhibitors who have registered in 12 sections, straddling agri-produce, small-scale farmers from all districts, apiculture, needlework, household, mining, flowers, livestock, drummies, art and craft and our arena events,” she said.
Mrs Rusere said the nation’s value addition thrust has also been factored in preparations for this year’s edition of the event.
She also confirmed the return of the cattle auction at the annual exhibition event.
“This year in apiculture, we will be showcasing value addition in honey. We will be having a machine that will be making wine, which will be given to our exhibitors to taste. We will also have sweets made from honey.
“In the livestock section, we will be having a cattle auction. We had long stopped cattle auction, which we have reintroduced this year, and will be done on September 21,” she said.
Mrs Rusere said paratroopers will have potentially exciting displays during the event.
“We will also be having a breakfast conference and dinner on September 20 as well as the official opening of the event.
“We have also introduced paratroopers, who will do their jumps on September 20 and the next day. We have invited companies to bring their banners so that the paratroopers will fly them around Mutare.
“We are expecting live wild animals — lions, pythons and hyenas — from the national parks,” said Mrs Rusere, adding that Jah Prayzah will headline the entertainment section.
“To spice up the event, we will be having musical entertainment on Saturday, with Jah Prayzah on stage. We are expecting fireworks, and in fact the fireworks will mark the close of the event.
“On major developments, we have constructed new ablution facilities, including bathrooms. We are also constructing an exhibition hall,” she said.
