by Charles Motsi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa threw showers of praise at the organisers of the Harare Agricultural Show for allowing stakeholders from all walks of life to be able to meet and discuss points of convergence in their various business interests.

The President said this while officially opening the oversubscribed Harare Agricultural Show in Harare today.

"As Government, we are proud of the event as it offers opportunities for business, Government and other stakeholders to network. This year’s theme, ‘Field to Industry: Produce, Connect and Develop,’ resonates well with Government policy on increased productivity and industrialization,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa said as Government, they were fully committed to the development of agriculture as witnessed in the resources already made available through the Command Agriculture and Presidential Input schemes.

He went on to invite both public and private institutions to embrace the need for continuous innovation in the field of agriculture through Research and Development.

"I exhort stakeholders to enhance our research competences to improve all sub sectors in the agriculture sub sectors," said President Mnangagwa.

The President further reiterated that the Command Agriculture and Presidential Input schemes were not election gimmicks but are real life programs that are here to stay as long as they are needed by the public whom they are meant to service.

President Mnangagwa made it clear that his administration was serious about the country being a medium income economy by 2030 and he added that Agriculture was key in attaining this goal and that agricultural shows would be useful in measuring progress.

"Agricultural shows in provinces will be linked to provincial economies and they are poised to produce positive results as l myself witnessed in the morning when l toured various stands that bear testimony of strides the country's research and development capabilities in the area of Agriculture," said the President.

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show President, Ngoni Kudenga, commended exhibitors for maintaining faith in ZAS's ability to bring stakeholders and the public together and he revealed that they are currently working on a rebranding exercise that will reflect the national nature of the event starting by renaming the annual event.

"The show is to be rebranded from Harare Agricultural Show to Zimbabwe Agricultural Show to reflect its national character. Plans are underway to construct a shopping mall, service station and a Convention Centre to improve atmosphere for show goers.," said Kudenga.