All is set for the fourth edition of the Victoria Falls Agricultural Show (VFAS) which will be held from 26 – 29 September, with focus on rural life.
The theme of this year`s showcase is, “Revolutionising innovations and technology for sustainable rural lifestyles- unlocking vision 2030.”
A total of 150 exhibitors are expected to grace the show, an increase from 70 exhibitors who participated in last year`s edition.
The exhibitors include government departments and ministries, Retailers, Hoteliers, Seed Companies and Manufacturers.
Speaking to CITE, VFAS manager Tendai Moyo said the show seeks to celebrate rural life and expressed concern at the high levels of poverty in communities within the Matabeleland region.
“We have voting statistics and constituencies like Nkayi are in deep poverty which amounts to about 92 percent among other areas which is very unreasonable because people are suffering,” said Moyo.
Moyo added that they are trying to motivate and persuade the government into paying much attention to the people of Matabeleland North region who are suffering a lot.
“We are trying to provoke our government into remembering that these are the comrades who supported them during the liberation struggle and made it possible to get independence,” said Moyo.
The VFAS manager also noted that they have revamped the show and have introduced new segments which include a multi-cultural cooking competition called Machikichori/ Amafidlomo.
“This year we just want to celebrate the food that people ate back in the days because they did not suffer from diseases as much as we do now,” said Moyo.
Moyo added that they are working towards changing local people perspective of preferring English foods over traditional foods.
The Victoria Falls Agricultural Show is aptly named the People’s Show as it draws from and encompasses all the various sectors of the economy and communities ranging from small scale farmers to commercial farmers, small to medium enterprises and provincial, national, regional and international participants.
The Show is one of the fastest-growing agricultural shows in the country as it also embraces business, career guidance, Information Communication and Technology exposure for the communities in order to improve their standards of living and enhance and optimize the usage of ICTs for effective and real-time communication.
“Higher institutions of learning like the University of Zimbabwe, Kwekwe Polytechnic, Mutare Polytechnic among others will exhibit during the agricultural show,” said Moyo.
