The Sunday News
Shepias Dube Business Reporter
THE Bulawayo Agriculture Show Society has been forced to reduce livestock-related exhibitions at this year’s Bulawayo Agriculture Show that starts in the city on Tuesday because of the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease. The show runs concurrently with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. In an interview on Friday BAS administrative officer Mrs Natalie Adlam said the outbreak of the disease had forced the society to make some adjustments on the number and type of cattle to be showcased.
“The BAS was looking at penning pedigrees, however, due to the new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, these plans have been cancelled. Fatstock will be represented and a yarding of 90 heading is expected,” she said.
The Veterinary Department said about 2,5 million of the country’s cattle were in danger of being affected by Foot and Mouth Disease after outbreaks in Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo.
Mrs Adlam said the fatstock would go straight for slaughter soon after exhibition.
The goats and sheep section, she added, had also been affected by the foot and mouth outbreak and only a small exhibition would be on show.
However, she said all was well with other animals which were not prone to foot and mouth.
She said poultry would be fully represented by both communal and commercial farmers with several pedigree birds on show.
More than 100 birds, including indigenous chickens, ducks, turkeys and layers, are expected to be on exhibition at this year’s trade fair.
An incubator showcasing hatching chicks is also expected to be on display.
The BAS official also said they would be a reduction in the number of farmers showcasing crops because of the drought that affected most parts of the country this year.
“The quantity of crops at this year’s ZITF will be less than in 2014 due to erratic rains received this season,” Mrs Adlam said.
However, she could not give the exact number of farmers that would participate as she was still consulting relevant stakeholders.
Mrs Adlam said in spite of the challenges the Bulawayo Agricultural Society section would be worth visiting during this year’s trade fair as there was a lot to learn for those with a passion for agriculture.
“All in all, the Bulawayo agricultural section will be a very worthwhile visit. We urge all Zimbabweans to show their support for the farming community by visiting our section and seeing the skills displayed,” she said.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) national president Mr Abdul Credit Nyathi said the outbreak of foot and mouth was a worrying factor especially to those farmers who were expecting to maximise on the exhibition.
“ZITF is a platform for farmers to market their products and it is something we are always eager to be part of. We are indeed saddened by the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease because it has prevented most farmers from showcasing their livestock,” he said.
He said this year farmers would not be able to bring many crops for exhibition because most crops succumbed to drought.
However, Mr Nyathi said besides the drought and the recent outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease farmers had been restrained from the trade fair by the cost of participating at the annual event.
