Preparations for the 2019 Masvingo Provincial Agricultural Show slated for September 26 to 29 have begun in earnest, with traditional exhibitors already attending to their stands.

When The Herald visited the show grounds on Tuesday, workman were busy making touch-ups on the stands.

Masvingo Agriculture Society secretary Mrs Jane Marevesa said a number of companies had started paying for space.

“As you are aware, we are only left with a few weeks before our annual provincial agricultural show, companies willing to take part have started renovating their stands,” said Mrs Marevesa.

She said despite the El-Nino-induced drought, the show was promising to be one of the best given the calibre of companies making inquiries and the devolution agenda being enunciated by President Mnangagwa.

“I think we are in line to achieve the province’s projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$8 billion by 2030, as well as the national target of an upper middle income economy by the same year,” she said

Mrs Marevesa said a number of groups and a top musician were set to provide entertainment during the show.

She said Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira will grace the show, but the guest of honour was yet to be confirmed.

Last year’s show saw more than 100 companies exhibiting, with some of them ending up pitching tents on open spaces after failing to secure stands.