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Elita Chikwati and Mary Muradzikwa
Multitudes of people yesterday thronged the Glamis Arena at the Harare Exhibition Park to witness President Mnangagwa officially open the 108th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show.

This is the first time that President Mnangagwa has officially opened the show.

This year’s show was held under the theme “Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop.’’

The day started early in the morning with the President, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and the Vice Presidents — Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi — arriving for their separate tour of stands. Scores of people chanted the popular “ED Pfee” slogan as President Mnangagwa toured the stands. Others lined the streets to view the proceedings.

At the Command Agriculture stand, zanu-pf supporters and other showgoers collaborated in singing revolutionary songs in support of the President and the popular Command Agriculture programme, which has seen Zimbabwe becoming food sufficient again after years of food deficits.

By 11am, most people had been seated in the Glamis Arena ahead of the official opening of the show.

Dignitaries, who included service chiefs, Government officials, senior zanu-pf leadership, members of the diplomatic corps, Zimbabwe Agricultural Society officials, exhibitors and farmers graced the occasion.

There was a flypast by jets from the Air Force of Zimbabwe as the national anthem was played, as the events at the official opening ceremony started.

This was followed by the inspection of the guard of honour by the President.

ZAS president Mr Ngoni Kudenga congratulated President Mnangagwa on his ascension to the Presidency.

In his remarks, Mr Kudenga said the show offered opportunities for brand promotion and networking.

He said exhibitions had increased by 14 percent from last year’s statistics, and added that there were plans to expand the Harare Agricultural Show into a national event.

He later invited the President to the podium.

President Mnangagwa said this year’s theme, “Field to Industry; Produce, Connect, Develop” resonated well with Government’s policy of increasing productivity and industrialisation.

He later presented prizes to the outstanding farmers and show exhibitors.

Among the winners were Seed-Co Zimbabwe, Econet Wireless, Tobacco Research Board, Lafarge and some farmers.

They were presented with trophies and certificates.

The zanu-pf stand was also outstanding in the medium-to-small enterprises, while the ZDF was honoured for being the best stand in the security services.

Tsholotsho farmer Mrs Simangali Tshuma shined after winning a tractor with a mounted boom sprayer for being named as the best farmer for the 2018 show.

Mrs Susan Mujati won a pick-up vehicle for being the best exhibitor, while Mrs Tracy Shani from Mashonaland Central won a tractor for being voted the best tobacco grower.

Mr Ranganayi Mazivirwa also got a tractor for being the best cotton exhibitor.

The show yesterday was a fun-filled event for families, with a variety of activities lined-up to entertain the show goers.

These included horse riding and face-painting, which is popular with children, dancing competitions on some stands, while the ZDF stand attracted huge traffic as the public came to get a glimpse of some of the weapons which were on display.

The curtain comes down on the show today, with fire works expected to end the activities early in the evening.