Zimbabwe’s agricultural show societies are aligning their exhibitions with international standards to attract more investments and expand opportunities in farming value chains.
This initiative, which supports the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), aims to draw global exhibitors, boost value addition, and enhance the agricultural sector’s competitiveness.
Manicaland Agricultural Show Society Administrator, Mrs. Pedzisai Rusero, emphasized the importance of collaboration among agricultural show societies to foster economic growth.
“When agricultural show societies share insights and adopt global best practices, they contribute to economic development.
The goal is to create exhibitions that provide real value to attendees and ensure Zimbabwe fully utilizes its agricultural potential while promoting inclusivity,” she said.
The adoption of global standards is also expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports, broadening access to international markets.
“This initiative aligns with the Second Republic’s vision of strengthening Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity under NDS1. Despite existing challenges, embracing modern standards is crucial for achieving our goal of becoming an upper middle-income society by 2030,” said Zimbabwe Agricultural Society CEO, Mr. Rufaro Gunundu.
The move towards global standards is already in progress, with agricultural societies at district and provincial levels working to enhance the impact of their expos on the economy.
“The focus is on increasing the value of Zimbabwe’s agricultural output. These expos must contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” said National Association of Agricultural Show Societies in Zimbabwe Chairperson, Mr. Godfrey Mavankeni.
This push for international benchmarks comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is poised for significant growth, supported by a favorable summer cropping season. Agricultural society representatives met on Friday to discuss strategies for implementing global standards, recognizing their importance in sustaining progress in the sector.
As agriculture remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy—driving export growth, job creation, and foreign currency earnings—the shift towards internationally recognized standards is expected to accelerate the sector’s contribution to national development.
