Elita Chikwati–Senior Agriculture Reporter 

Preparations for this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show have started, with exhibitors and visitors expected to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to participate or attend the event.

Those not vaccinated will be expected to produce a Covid-19 test certificate from a test taken not later than 48 hours before the show.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) will also facilitate free tests at entry.

The 111th show comes as the agriculture sector is expected to grow by 34 percent, more than three times the 11 percent initially projected in the budget at the end of last year.

The huge jump in production was driven by better harvests of maize, groundnuts and sorghum.

There was also a  combination of a good rainfall season, supported by adequate planning and preparation in a range of Government-programmes well before the season started, ensuring that farmers had adequate inputs on time.

The show will be held from September 27 to October 1 under the theme “Synergies for Growth–Cooperate, Collaborate Complement” to rally support for the cause of agriculture and attendant value chains for increased “production, productivity and profitability.

ZAS chief executive, Dr Andrew Matibiri said highlights of the show will include an exhibition in the Mining Agri Village which will demonstrate the strong synergies between mining and the agriculture sector.

“The village is vibrant this year on the back of a good agricultural season and strong growth in mining due to firmer commodity prices.

“The Annual National Agribusiness Conference will be held on Wednesday, 29 September 2021, and the show will be available on a virtual platform,” he said.

Dr Matibiri said ZAS was expecting a bigger show this year with a focus on the growth that was registered in the agriculture sector due to the favourable rainfall season received during the 2020/21 season.

“During the show there will be booths outside the park where visitors can get a free test for COVID-19, while inside the park there will also be booths where free vaccinations against COVID-19 will be available.

“Contact less body temperature checks will be conducted on all entrants at every gate into the park,” he said.

All entrants will be required to strictly adhere to anti-COVID 19 protocols, specifically to wear face masks in such a way that the mouth and nose are fully covered, to maintain one metre social distancing, and to frequently wash hands with soap and sanitise frequently.

“Signs encouraging adherence to these protocols will be placed throughout the park and hand washing or hand sanitisation facilities will also be located at strategic points throughout the exhibition park.

“Walk-in sanitisation booths will be placed at every hall entrance and other strategic locations in the show,” said Dr Matibiri.

ZAS will monitor and control the number of people allowed into each hall to ensure compliance with recommended maximum crowd sizes.

Park grounds, roads and halls will be disinfected while drone surveillance will be used to monitor and manage the crowds to ensure strict adherence to the Ministry of Health and Child care and WHO.