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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
THE Matabeleland North Annual Agricultural Show kicked off yesterday at the Hwange Show Grounds, with organisers registering more exhibitors compared to last year.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Richard Moyo

Hwange Show Society is organising the exhibition which will be officially opened by Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo tomorrow.

The show ends on Sunday and runs under the theme “Expediting value addition to accelerate socio-economic growth.”

Last year, there were 42 organisational exhibitors, 13 eateries and more than two dozen rural farmers.

Hwange Show Society chair Mr Praise Moyo said the number of exhibitors had by yesterday exceeded last year’s, and some were still making inquiries promising to come today.

“This year seems better than last year in terms of the number of exhibitors as we have exceeded the number of those that came last year.

We have a number of first-time exhibitors and returnees,” said Mr Moyo.

Matabeleland North has a diverse economy ranging from tourism to mining, agriculture, timber, fisheries and others.

The expo rebranded from Hwange Agricultural Show three years ago to match its status as Matabeleland North’s premier provincial exhibition.

Over the years the expo has drawn exhibitors from Government departments, mining companies, tertiary institutions, small scale farmers and local authorities.

The tourism industry has, however, been conspicuous with its absence despite being the province’s economic backbone.

Some of the returning exhibitors that did not exhibit last year include National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Lupane State University and Public Service Commission (PSC).

National Social Security Authority (NSSA)

By end of day yesterday, some exhibitors were still arriving while those that had arrived were setting up their stands.

Those that had set-up include the Rural Electrification Agency, Civil Registry, Department of Livestock Production, Department of Veterinary Services, Grain Marketing Board, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Environmental Management Agency, NetOne, Insurance and Pensions Commission.

Others are Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Agricultural Finance Corporation, ZETDC, Powertel, Zimbabwe Power Company, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Resettlement.

Liquid Telecomm, Global Fashions, Rugare Medical, Hand in Hand, Hwange Colliery Company, Tottengram, Molokele Chambers, farmers and several individuals exhibiting various kinds of goods including kids toys are taking part.

Organisers are targeting 8 000 attendees during the course of the show, up from more than 4 000 last year. – @ncubeleon