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UPDATES: Simiso Mlevu; PHOTOGRAPHY: Wilson Kakurira; EDITOR: Costa Mano

1620: A farmer from Murehwa, Mai Musakwa, has just won a tractor as the main prize and President Mugabe has handed over the keys. That brings an end to our updates. Thank you for joining us. 

1549: President Mugabe is handing over trophies to exhibitors. A slight change to the traditional program, this year, trophies are being handed over to the guest of honour by the sponsors.

1547: President Mugabe says it is commendable that it’s not only maize that saw a surge in the yield, but cotton too. However, he says more needs to be done to promote soya bean farming. ZAS patron has implored financial institutions to lower their interest rates which are an inhibition to progress.

“Please, listen to my call,” President Mugabe says to banks.

He has also welcomed miners to the show and urged them to make it a ritual to participate in the exhibition.

“I applaud all of you for this show of unity in organising this year’s event. The success it is, is the success of your efforts and your unity. With that, may I now declared the 107th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show officially opened,”

1544: “It is absolutely necessary that all stakeholders work together to revitalise the sector. Since the Command Agriculture programme now includes Command Livestock, I urge livestock farmers to embrace the programme and make it a success,”

1538: He has thanked all those who ensured that Zimbabwe attains food sufficiency and urged them to to continue so that the country never lapses to hunger again.
“I understand you have introduced 11-tonne-plus club, that means you are promoting increased maize production. I was very happy to note that the quality of exhibits was very high and that it was far much more than last year’s. I have learnt that over 250 000 are expected to pass through the gates of the Harare Agricultural Show this year, and this is commendable,”

1534: “These are the results of the successful land reform and it’s shaming to the detractors of the land redistribution programme. My Government intervened proactively through Command Agriculture which saw farmers being given implements, seeds, fertilisers and technical expertise. As a result of this strategy, Zimbabwe is expecting a bumper harvest, in excess of a two million metric tonnes,” he says adding that he hopes its not just two million. President Mugabe says the programme has been extended to wheat and other aspects of agriculture.

1532: President Mugabe takes to the podium and starts with salutations.

“I welcome you all to the 107th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show which comes on the background of the most successful agricultural season. This year has seen Zimbabwe ascending to food sufficiency,”

1528: Mr Kudenga has extended his appreciation to various stakeholders who among them are the members of the public, farmers and the patron of ZAS who has never missed the show adding that in President Mugabe, ZAS finds inspiration.  Mr Kudenga has invited President Mugabe to give his remarks.

1527: “The show provides a platform to highlight brands and market to a potential 250 000 clients spanning over three generations.”

1526: “There is also a 11-tonne-plus club which is made of farmers who have achieved over 11 tonnes per hectare. The highest yield per hectare in this club is 21 tonnes.” He adds that in this year’s show, there are miners and this was conceived to improve relations between farmers and miners.

1522: “This year has seen an increase in the number of sections. There is now a cotton section,” Mr Kudenga says.

1521: He welcomes all gathered here at the main arena. He says this year’s show is being run under the theme “Food to seed, innovate, consolidate and sustain”

1518: ZAS president Mr Ngoni Kudenga takes to the podium to give opening remarks.

1513: Another National Anthem to dismiss the parade. The parade has been dismissed and now marches past and off the arena.

1503: Major Tozvireva invited President Mugabe to inspect the guard of honour which is made up of two detachments. His Excellency who is also the patron of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Society is now inspecting the guard of honour.

1456: President Mugabe has arrived and the National Anthem is now being sung.

1445: Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has arrived.

1438: Service chiefs have arrived at the main arena for the official opening of the exhibition.

1423: Warrant officer Moffat Moyo has handed over the parade to the Parade Commander Major Nathan Tonderai Zvireva. Now, the Director of Music and two Detachment Commanders join the parade.

The parade is now in place and ready for inspection by His Excellency President Mugabe.

1419: Zimbabwe Power Signals band and the guard of honour are marching into the arena for the official opening of the 107th edition of Harare Agricultural Show.

1410: Official proceedings are about to resume here at Glamis Arena.

First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe speaks to Chief of Protocol in the President’s Office Mr Munyaradzi Kajese.

1232: His Excellency has finished his tour of exhibition stands and has taken a break for lunch ahead of the main event at Glamis Arena where he is expected to officially open the fair. Please join us at 2 pm for the official opening.

1228: A farmer in his own right, President Mugabe is now marvelling at his own cattle at Gushungo Dairy exhibition paddock.

1214: President Mugabe is now at the Command Agriculture exhibition stand where he is being briefed on milestone achievements as well as progress regarding 2017/2018 preparedness.

1208: President Mugabe has urged Seed-co to popularise vegetables like green peas and green beans and make them popular in the the provinces to ensure availability of markets.

President Mugabe at the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board

1200: His Excellency is accompanied by Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe and Agriculture Minister, Dr Joseph Made

1113: President Mugabe has arrived at the Exhibition Park and is welcomed by ZAS Public Affairs Manager, Ms Roberta Katunga who hands him a TIMB sun hat. Instead of going for the usual briefing, President Mugabe is now touring exhibition stands starting with the Julius Nyerere Agricultural Produce Centre. The First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe,  is also here and is also touring the agricultural produce stands with her team.

1110: Government and ZAS officials are already lined up in front of ZAS offices to welcome President Mugabe who is set to get a briefing from the organisers before embarking on the tour.

1100: All is set for the official opening of the 107th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show which started on August 21 and will come to a close tomorrow.

Organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society, the Harare Agricultural Show brings together business, industry and commerce at the premier agricultural show, mapping out strategies for survival.

The 107th exhibition, comes at a time Government is forging ahead with the Command Agriculture programme which has boosted agriculture, ensure food sufficiency and security as well as restore the country’s status as the bread basket for the region. President Mugabe is expected to tour several exhibition stands before the main event to be held at Glamis Arena here at the Exhibition Park.