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Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
PROVINCIAL and district agricultural show societies should play an important role in the transformation of provincial economies and subsequent growth of their Gross Domestic Product. In an interview, National Association of Show Societies of Zimbabwe (NSSZ) chairman Mr Godfrey Mavankeni said show societies should give impetus to the devolution agenda.

“Show societies should come in and be part of the ecosystem of the economy. We should play a role by holding business exhibitions,” Mr Mavankeni said.

“We are saying provincial and district show societies should not be a once off event like what is happening now. Show societies should actively participate in the economy by having programmes throughout the year.”

Their facilities, he said, should not lie idle.

Mr Mavankeni, who was recently confirmed as the substantive chairman of the NASSZ at an annual general meeting in Nyanga, said his vision was to transform the societies into vibrant components of the economy.

NASSZ comprises nine provincial societies in the country’s nine provinces excluding Harare.

It also excludes five district societies.

“My vision is to see the transformation of provincial show societies by changing the societies’ mindset from having single events per year. The Harare Show Society has transformed and there are activities throughout the year. We can be linked by having promotional conferences working with local authorities if they want to do investment conferences. Show societies can play a key role in that regard.”

As show societies, Mr Mavhankeni said, they can help improve production — especially in agro-oriented provinces like Mashonaland West province — through holding educational and promotional conferences.

Government has taken bold steps to operationalise devolution of the economy to the provinces by committing $310 million in the 2019 Budget.

Provinces are expected to develop their economies around key productive areas peculiar to them.

Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa has said that the province’s prospects for growth are anchored on agriculture, manufacturing and mining.

Devolution is expected to promote even distribution of resources with provinces spearheading development through localised resource allocation.

The thrust by the show societies dovetails with President Mnangagwa’s call at the 108th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show to strengthen and link them to provincial economies.

These, the President said, should introduce agro-business conferences to promote investment and productivity to lay the foundation for the attainment of the country’s vision for a middle-income economy by 2030.