Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Chief Executive Officer, Rufaro Gunundu
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Agriculture plays a vital role in the country’s socio-economic development and the livelihoods of millions across the country, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, Rufaro Gunundu has said.
Gunundu revealed this on Thursday during a press conference ahead of this year’s 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show which will be held from the 25th to the 30th of August.
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show will be held under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.”
“This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 130 years of agricultural excellence, innovation and resilience.
“The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show remains a cornerstone event on our national calendar-a proud tradition that brings together farmers, agribusinesses, policy makers, and communities to showcase the remarkable achievements of our agricultural sector.
“More than just an exhibition, this event serves as a dynamic platform to reflect on the progress we have made, engage in meaningful dialogue around the challenges ahead, and explore new opportunities to drive growth and sustainability in our agricultural economy.
“As we commemorate this historic edition, we reaffirm the vital role agriculture plays in the socio-economic development in Zimbabwe and the livelihoods of millions across the country,” said Gunundu.
Gunundu further revealed that 304 exhibitors have so far confirmed their attendance against a target of approximately 580.
He added that about 63 000 square metres of space has so far been allocated, with a target of 89 000 square metres.
“The strong uptake is a clear reflection of the show’s continued relevance and appeal across sectors.
“To complement the exhibitions, a broad range of Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements has been curated.
“These strategic platforms are designed to bring together senior executives, industry experts, and government stakeholders to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore innovations that can drive the growth of agricultural enterprises.
“Through these focused interactions, we aim to foster collaborations, address sector-specific challenges, and unlock new opportunities within both local and international markets,” he added.
Events lined up for the agricultural show include the ZAS Humanitarian Golf Day at Royal Golf Club on August 21, Annual National Agribusiness Conference (ANAC) at the Andy Millar Hall and the Quiz and Karaoke Night for Exhibitors at ZAS Court Yard on August 27, the Environmental, Social and Governance Conference at Rainbow Towers, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards at ZAS Court Yard and the Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology Indaba at Andy Millar Hall all on August 28.
