The Sunday News
Chrispen Gumunyu, Farming Reporter
MATABELELAND South Show Society has identified strategic partners to assist it in constructing hostels to house communal farmers during its exhibitions as it forges ahead to become one of the country’s biggest expos situated within rural settlements.
Show society president Mr George Chipengo said they have decided to facilitate the construction of hostels within the show grounds after realising that communal farmers drawn from the province’s six districts namely Gwanda, Insiza, Umzingwane, Bulilima, Mangwe and Beitbridge were experiencing accommodation challenges during the exhibition days.
“With the help of our corporate partners such as Duration Gold, Mascon and PPC (Pretoria Portland Cement) we will start constructing hostels to accommodate farmers that will be coming to exhibit their produce and stock at the Show. The farmers have over the years been facing challenges to source accommodation during the duration of the exhibition with a substantial number even failing to attend as a result of this. We have already designated a piece of the land for the project and about $200 000 has so far been raised. We expect construction work to start next week since the designs and plans are already out,” he said.
Mr Chipengo said the Show Society was also negotiating and encouraging companies and institutions to put up pavilions within the exhibition centre.
“We are encouraging most of our partners to apply for the construction of permanent structures within the Show Grounds The District Development Fund is currently constructing its structure, which will be ready when the Show commences. Construction of permanent structures will not only grow the stature of the Show but it will add to the Show Society’s revenue collection through payment of rentals,” he said.
Mr Chipengo said 80 percent of the exhibition space has already been taken for this year’s showcase.
This year’s show will be held from 15 to 17 August under the theme: “Enhancing agricultural growth and development potential”.
The exhibition would be officially opened by Macdonald Bricks managing director Mr Lonely Nyathi.
“The prevailing economic conditions have not spared our partners and exhibitors who had already drafted their budgets before the changes in the fiscal and monetary policies. This has somehow slowed down the uptake of our exhibition space. Currently around 80 percent of the space has been taken and we remain optimistic of getting more exhibitors,” said Mr Chipengo.
He said despite the effects of drought a quality exhibition of livestock was expected.
“We are expecting quality livestock including small stock although we are experiencing a dry spell because Matabeleland South Province is a predominately a livestock area. We have a number of commercial farmers who will be showing their pedigree animals,” said Mr Chipengo.
Early this year the Show Society refurbished its cattle auction sale pens as part of its efforts to host livestock sales of a high magnitude.
Mr Chipengo said the Show Society has engaged agricultural experts to impart farmers with the requisite farming knowledge to improve their enterprises.
“We will offer training to farmers on different aspects of farming for free as well create dialogue between stakeholders and farmers,” he said.
Mr Chipengo said the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development would be fully represented by the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department, Vehicle Inspection Department and Zimbabwe National Road Administration.
The Show Society executive led by Mr Chipengo has not only played a significant part in overseeing the rehabilitation of most of the derelict infrastructure at the exhibition centre but it has also been pivotal in ensuring an increase in the quality exhibitors participating at the provincial showcase.
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