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1455: That brings an end to our updates. Please note we will add more pictures as soon as they become available. Thank you for joining us.

1453: The President is now handing over prizes to the best exhibitors.

President Mnangagwa prepares to handover prizes

1448: He concludes his remarks and congratulates those who will win prizes before declaring the show officially open.

1445: He says Agricultural shows in provinces will be linked to provincial economies adding that he toured stands in the morning which bears testimony of strides the country has made in research.

1443: He reiterates the Government’s commitment to Command Agriculture and Presidential Input Scheme. He says the programmes are not election gimmicks but are there to enhance food security, mechanisation and modernisation of agriculture.

1440: He says it’s an opportunity for partnerships between Government and private sector adding that climate change is a challenge and there is need to adopt irrigation. He says the success of Command Agriculture in maize production has been expanded to other crops.

1439: President Mnangagwa said the need to constantly improve agriculture productivity coupled with ever increasing market competitiveness requires consistent investment…I exhort stakeholders to enhance our research competences to improve all sub sectors in the agriculture sub sectors.

1437: The President says the country is proud of the event as it offers opportunities for business, Government and other stakeholders to network. He adds that this year’s theme, Field to Industry: Produce, Connect and Develop resonates well with Government policy on increased productivity and industrialisation.

1435: The President takes to the podium.

1434: He invites President Mnangagwa to give his address.

1433: The show is to be rebranded from Harare Agricultural Show to Zimbabwe Agricultural Show to reflect its national character. Plans are underway to construct a shopping mall, service station and and a Convention Centre to improve atmosphere for show goers.

1431: The conferences were attended by a record 1 000 executives. 250 000 people are expected to attend this year’s show, up from last year’s 186 000.

1428: He says the show offers businesses opportunities for brand promotion and networking. Business discussions and conferences increased from 5 to 9 this year.

1426: He says this year’s show is being held in an improvement business environment with 575 exhibitors and 124 new exhibitors. The figures are a 14,3 percent increase from last year’s exhibitors.

1425: He starts off by congratulating President Mnangagwa on his election as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as well as thanking him for accepting the invite to become ZAS patron.

1422: The President Mr Ngoni Kudenga of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society is now giving his welcome remarks.

1358: The National Anthem is now being sung.

1350: President Mnangagwa is now inspecting the Guard of Honour.

1340: President Mnangagwa has arrived.

1338: The First Lady Amai Mnangagwa has arrived.

1332: Service chiefs have arrived in the arena for the official opening of the 108th Harare Agricultural Show.

1245: The tour has ended. We will be back with updates on the official opening at 2pm.

1113: The President also continues to be greeted by wild cheers from the public with some singing various songs exhorting various programmes that Government has initiated to benefit the populace.

1113: The President is now touring the Command Agriculture hall were various aspects of the programme are being exhibited.

VP Chiwenga is also touring stands

1050: First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa is also touring exhibitor stands at the Exhibition Park.

1046: President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Exhibition Park and is now touring various stands exhibiting at the ongoing Harare Agricultural Show.

First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa at the Cottco stand

1035: His Excellency President Mnangagwa is scheduled to officially open this year’s edition today.

President Mnangagwa arrives

1030: We are at the annual Harare Agricultural Show which is the premier agricultural showcase organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for the national facilitation and promotion of agricultural development in Zimbabwe. Attracting more than 500 exhibitors and over 180 000 people annually, the Show presents a unique business opportunity for national and regional organisations and is one of the highlight of many Harare residents’ annual entertainment calendar.