The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
PREPARATIONS for this year’s Manicaland Agricultural Show are at an advanced stage, with more than 120 exhibitors expected to showcase their products at the annual event.
The 2017 Manicaland Agricultural Show runs from Wednesday to next Sunday. In an interview, Manicaland Agricultural Show Society administratorMr Edmond Nenguke said 50 exhibitors had already confirmed their participation.
Mr Nenguke said a lot more exhibitors were expected to make last-minute registration. He said they were at an advanced stage of sprucing up infrastructure around the venue. “Exhibitors usually come on the last minute and that is why we now have about 50 so far.
‘‘We are actually expecting more than 120 exhibitors to showcase their products during this year’s Manicaland Agricultural Show. As of now it is a bit difficult to say how many will come our way.
“Our preparations for the event have been going on well and we have made some remarkable improvement to the lighting system. Our main arena did not have lights, so we have worked on that as well as providing lighting in all our stands. We want to make sure that all our exhibitors have access to electricity.
An employee waters plants at the Agritex stand as preparations for this year’s Manicaland Agricultural Show gather momentum
“In terms of sanitation, we have removed the old toilets and built some new ones. We have also constructed bathrooms for farmers who will be camped here during the event,” said Mr Nenguke.
“Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene is no longer available as the guest of honour for the event and her Mashonaland East counterpart, Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri, is expected to replace her.
“We had initially invited the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, but she will no longer be available as guest of honour because of pressing commitments elsewhere. “We are hoping that Rtd Brig-Gen Mutinhiri will be available although it is still subject to confirmation,” he said.
“We also have a number of new exhibitors that will be coming. In fact, we already have the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Private) Limited as well as Willowton as some of the local giants that are newcomers to the Manicaland Agricultural Show.
“We are also expecting other new exhibitors from outside Mutare to add up to the number of exhibitors that we are expecting to have this year. We might surpass last years’ figures, but it remains to be seen,” said Mr Nenguke.
The Manicaland Agricultural Show attracted 160 exhibitors last year.
