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1605: President Mugabe presenting prizes to winners.

President Mugabe hands over a trophy to the best goat farmer, Mr Chrispen Kadiramwando at Harare Agric Show opening-(Pic by Tawanda Mudimu)

Police officers celebrate after winning three prizes at the  Harare Agricultural  Show-(Pic by Tawanda Mudimu)

1557: President Mugabe declared the Harare Agricultural Show officially opened.

1553: Farmers must produce quality products for both the local and export markets and still remain with enough for their needs. Those bent on saying agriculture was not rewarding were extensions of the colonial mentality and neo-colonial forces working against empowering the black majority. President Mugabe thanked the organisers of the show and hoped future events would be bigger to promote more trade opportunities.

1548: Challenged farmers to use knowledge from school to improve agricultural production in all disciplines. Cattle should have very high quality. Government mobilising grain from areas of surplus to needy areas to mitigate effects of grain shortage- also importing from countries like Zambia. Government has also developed multi-sectoral strategies to counter the effect of droughts through the adoption of technologies like conservation agriculture, use of drought resistant varieties, tree planting (re-greening the environment), mechanisation and water harvesting. Government has plans to help farmers

1546: Said the country needed more dairies. Pig and goat farming continue to improve. Government is committed to supporting livestock programmes.

1543: Agriculture is key to the economy of Zimbabwe. Over 70 percent of the population survive on agriculture. Agriculture produces most of the raw materials needed for the economy. Agriculture contributes 15-18 percent to the national GDP. Bemoaned the occurrence of the mid-season dry spell that affected the performance of most crops. Lauded the yielding of 163 million kilogrammes of tobacco by the current crop of farmers. Over 65 000 tobacco farmers are smallholders, beneficiaries of the land reform. National herd still at 5,3 million but should reach 6 million or more, said the President. Cattle off-take has increased between 2011 and 2012.

1539: Show presents opportunities for local, regional and international organizations, he said. He also lauded the 100 percent uptake of exhibiting space. Said the encouraging participation and high turn-out by exhibitors was a sign of the growing confidence in the potential of the economy of Zimbabwe especially coming after the successful hosting of the 20th UNWTO General Assembly

1534: Thanked the society for inviting him. He said the gesture augurs well with his vision of showcasing the importance of the agriculture sector to the economy. Said show theme was in sync with the current global thrust on matters of the environment, the promotion of SMEs and the dissemination of information to the generality of the society.

President Mugabe’s speech

Christopher Magona and Beauty Zhuwao take President Mugabe on a tour of their stand

1526: Said show was a learning platform for exhibitors, while the society wanted to stimulate competition in all forms of agricultural disciplines. Thanked the Patron of the society President Mugabe once more.

1524: Said Zimbabwe is a good international destination. Encouraged farmers to follow weather updates when doing their business. Applauded the opening of the amusement park. Said the society was now visible on the major social sites. Promised to make more improvements to allow people to enjoy themselves and do their business freely.

1519: The show has witnessed major changes from last year, there is also a culture and social fair that has been introduced. Welcomed and thanked international exhibitors. Encouraged planting of trees and use of renewable sources of energy. allowed free entry of children into the show to promote the spirit of business competition from an early age.

1517: Dr Mupawose welcomed all. Thanked the President for coming. The sixth time since independence that President Mugabe has officiated at the show.

1516: President of the Show Society, Dr Robbie Mupawose delivers his speech.

1448: President Mugabe inspects guard of honour mounted by members of the Presidential Guard to mark the beginning of the official opening of the show.

1445: People sing the national anthem. There is a fly-past by air force jets.

1443: President Mugabe  and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe arrive at Glamis Arena for the proceedings

Air Force of Zimbabwe jets flypast in a diamond formation- (pic by Tawanda Mudimu)

1440: Among those present for the official opening are outgoing ministers Herbert Mrerwa, Saviour Kasukuwere, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Sithembiso Nyoni, Olivia Muchena and Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo

1430: VP Mujuru arrives for the proceedings

1420: Service chiefs have just arrived

1337: People getting ready for the official opening. President Mugabe is yet to get into the arena and the announcement has already been made to that effect. There is still entertainment.

1233:  Amai Mugabe is giving out free milk to mothers while juices and yogurts are being distributed by  the President’s  daughter , Bona

1230: His Excellency President Robert Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe are now at the Alpha and Omega Dairy stand. The dairy belongs to the First Family’s Gushungo Holdings. Fruit juices and yogurts are being distributed for free, courtesy of Alpha and Omega Dairy.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri explaining on tobacco production at the TIMB stand while Amai Grace Mugabe looks on

At the agriculture produce section, Andy Miller Hall

Amai Grace Mugabe looks at some impressive agricultural produce on display