Johnson Progress

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) has officially kicked off in Harare today, August 25, with a record attendance expected.

The 115th edition of the annual event, themed “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Communities,” will run until Saturday, August 30.

This year’s showcase has witnessed a significant jump in the number of exhibitors, from 430 last year to 505 this year, with the figure expected to rise to 580.

According to ZAS Chief Executive Officer Rufaro Alfred Gunundu, more than 79,500 square meters out of 86,500 square meters of available space has been taken up, indicating strong interest from exhibitors.

“We are expecting a good agricultural show this season. We are happy about the preparations. So far, we are on top of everything. We have prepared well for the show and we are expecting the number of exhibitors to rise,” Gunundu said.

The event will feature twelve international foreign exhibitors from countries including Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, India, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

This year’s showcase is expected to draw top farmers from the country’s provinces, converging to showcase their produce.

Gunundu revealed that there were 1,636 entries for agri-produce from 112 farmers.

“The show remains a key platform to showcase the achievements of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and engage on opportunities and challenges affecting the industry,” he said.

A highlight of the 2025 show will be the high-level business-to-business dialogues, scheduled to take place tomorrow, August 26, alongside an exhibitors’ cocktail party.

Other key events include a schools quiz competition today, a media awards ceremony, and an indaba on agricultural excellence on Thursday, August 28.

This year, ZAS celebrates 130 years of existence, making the showcase special. The event promises to be an exciting celebration of Zimbabwean agriculture, with fireworks displays and a music concert scheduled for Saturday night.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is a significant event on the country’s economic calendar, offering a platform for showcasing agricultural innovation, fostering linkages between producers and buyers, and driving rural and industrial development.