There was a marked improvement in attendance and activity at the 2018 Chipinge Agricultural Show that was held from August 16-18 due to improved publicity and a more spacious venue, iTell News has learnt.
In previous years, the show was held at Gaza Primary School, a smaller venue compared to the new showgrounds that were availed this time around.
The show ran under the theme, ‘Unlocking the Agricultural and Industrial Potential for Economic Growth in Chipinge District.’
Chipinge Show Society chairperson, Samuel Maronga said the allocation of independent showgrounds to the society had given more companies reason to exhibit than ever before.
“We have seen big private companies and public companies exhibit for the first time at our agricultural show. Notable entities include Zimra, Econet Wireless, Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance, ZimParks, Getbucks Financial Services, Agriseeds, Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), Plant Quarantine Services and Coffee Research," said Maronga.
He invited exhibitors from elsewhere to consider Chipinge in all forthcoming shows.
“Investors should come to exhibit at Chipinge Agricultural Show. No one will regret being an exhibitor in our farming town,” he said.
Chipinge Crop and Livestock Department (formerly Agritex) district head, Tapiwa Chagwesha said the district had registered an improvement in crop production.
"The district continues to deliver more grain since most farmers in the district are receiving inputs from government schemes," said Chagwesha.
Guest of Honour at the event, Ivan Craig, who is the Agriseeds director of sales and marketing, urged famers to work harder so as to attain food security for the district.
"Farmers should not shy away from joining government programmes such as command agriculture as this is the only way to ensure food security," Craig said.
He also urged farmers to value-add their produce after harvesting so that they could derive maximum gain from it.
"Farmers should understand the value chain so that they can make informed decisions on pricing. This can be achieved if farmers work together. They should establish cooperation and scout for better markets,” he said.business
