The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
FARMING experts and organisers of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show have lauded the quality of farm produce exhibited by farmers at this year’s showcase, which ended yesterday.
Matabeleland South Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) crop and livestock production provincial officer Mrs Simangaliphi Ngwabi said communal farmers that exhibited at this year’s exhibition put up a splendid display despite the drought, which characterised the 2018/19 farming season.
“We are very satisfied with the quality of the crop, which was exhibited by farmers at this year’s show. It’s probably one of the best displays we have witnessed over the years and to think that it comes against the fact that we are coming from a drought it’s truly astonishing. The number of farmers that exhibited at this year’s show is also bigger compared to the previous years,” she said.
Matabeleland South Show Society president Mr George Chipengo also expressed satisfaction at the quality of this year’s crop produce exhibition.
“I am very excited that a number of farmers managed to manage an unmanageable situation into sort of normal in light of the drought we experienced. The farmers have responded well and have shown great appreciation of their show and through it, they will be able to share experiences to further improve their agricultural enterprises,” he said.
Mr Chipengo also hailed the role that has been played by Agritex through its extension officers over the years of ensuring that farmers are imparted with the requisite farming knowledge to enhance yields in spite of severe climatic conditions.
“Gwanda, just like most of the Province, is in Natural Region Five, which is relatively dry and we have together with Agritex been encouraging farmers to produce despite the low rainfall,” he said.
Mr Chipengo said the Show Society expects an even much bigger exhibition from farmers next year upon completion of hostels to house them during the showcase.
Communal farmers drawn from the Province’s seven districts namely Gwanda, Umzingwane, Insiza, Matobo, Bulilima, Mangwe and Beitbridge participating at the annual exhibition have over the years been facing accommodation challenges.
“We have started building hostels for the farmers but unfortunately the infrastructure couldn’t be used to house them this year as construction is still underway but certainly next year and it is against this background that we expect more participation by farmers,” said Mr Chipengo.
This year’s exhibition was held under the theme: “Enhancing agricultural growth and development potential” and was officially opened by Macdonald Bricks managing director Mr Lonely Nyathi.
@DNsingo
