ZITF to attract more livestock

zitfFarming Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair’s agricultural exhibition, which is organised by the Bulawayo Agricultural Society (BAS), will this year attract more livestock and crop produce as evidenced by books made so far compared to last year, an official said.

BAS administrative officer Mrs Natalie Adlam said in some sections numbers, have tripled compared to last year.

She said at least 32 cattle pedigrees and 80 fat stock from Biano Farm, Khami Prisons and Matopos Research Station would on display while 75 sheep and goats from Matopos Research Station and Maziwa Farm would also be on exhibition.

The Home Industries section has attracted 793 entries and these would be judged in the open (senior) and junior sections, as well as the rehabilitation schools.

“The pedigree section will be represented by the Afrikander, Nkone, Simmental and Tuli breeds, with a few dairy cattle. This will be the first time in 10 years that Simmental cattle will be exhibited, so we are pleased to welcome them back.

“The sheep and goats section looks to be better than ever. The animals will only be for display purposes. To date, 75 animals have been entered and these include Boer goats, Dorper sheep, indigenous goats and. A further exhibition of eight Kalahari Red Goats is expected,” Mrs Adlam said.

She said participants in the sheep and goat sections would have an opportunity to attend a workshop that would be conducted by two experts (Mr Chris Kadamazamire and Mrs Gay Wilde).

“I am quite optimistic that this year’s show is going to be much better and bigger than last year’s. It’s proving to be very interesting because we have quite a number of new entries.

“Crops are set to come from Matabeleland North and South. The quality of the produce is good, due to the substantial rains received and the number of exhibitors is still growing, as the entries have yet to close. We are waiting for produce from Hwange and Binga,” Mrs Adlam said.

BAS is also working on bring back the cattle pedigree competition after a lengthily absence owing to a recurrent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Matabeleland region.

“Next year we intend to have a proper show where animals will be judged. At the moment we only have fat stock being judged but we have to push for pedigree next year because we have gone for a year with an outbreak of FMD.

“We urge all Zimbabweans to show their support for the farming community by visiting our section and seeing the skills displayed. All in all, 2014 promises to be better than 2013,” Mrs Adlam said.

The poultry section would be represented by both commercial and communal farmers and housed in the Rabbit hall.

There will also be a horse section where showing and dressage as well as show jumping would be on display.

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