By Azriel Chimeno
KADOMA — The road to the National Agricultural Show in Harare officially began for Chakari farmers when Dalny High School hosted the Chakari Zonal Agricultural Show.
More than 80 farmers from across the zone converged to exhibit their best livestock, maize, cotton, and horticultural produce, competing for a coveted spot at the District level.
The event underscored the depth of agricultural talent in Chakari while linking producers with major input suppliers ahead of the next planting season.
High-Quality Exhibitions
Cattle, goats, and sheep stood alongside displays of maize cobs, cotton bales, groundnuts, and fresh vegetables. The show drew both established commercial farmers and smallholder producers, highlighting Chakari’s mixed farming systems.
Agritex Agricultural Business Advisory Supervisor Lucia Kennedy applauded the farmers for turning out in large numbers and praised the standard of entries.
“We are pleased with the farmers who came in numbers to exhibit. The number of exhibitors has increased from last year, and so have the companies participating,” Kennedy said.
She also paid tribute to the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme for its impact on yields. “We also acknowledge the Pfumvudza project that made the harvest good. It has helped farmers improve productivity even under difficult conditions,” she added.
The Road to Harare
The Chakari Zonal Show serves as the entry point into Zimbabwe’s agricultural show circuit. Winners will now represent Chakari at the District Agricultural Show, with top performers progressing to Provincial shows and ultimately the National Agricultural Show in Harare.
Winners walked away with prizes including stoves, ox-drawn ploughs, plates, seeds, and fertilizers — inputs that will boost preparations for the next season.
Private Sector Engagement
The event also drew key private sector players. Seed houses Seedco and K2, and Ruvimbo Funeral set up exhibition stands to market certified seed varieties and book early orders for the 2026/2027 season.
Other service providers showcased equipment, chemicals, and financial products tailored for small to medium-scale producers.
Government Support Acknowledged
Sanyati District Agricultural Show Chairperson Councillor Rachel Manzvanda commended the productivity of local farmers and acknowledged government’s role in supporting agriculture.
“I want to commend the Chakari farmers for having enough food for their families. The quality we’ve seen here shows real commitment to food security at household level,” she said.
“We thank the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, for providing inputs to the farmers. He does not want to leave no one and no place behind, and that vision is bearing fruit in communities like Chakari,” she added.
A Knowledge-Sharing Hub
Beyond competition, the show functioned as a knowledge-sharing hub where farmers compared notes on livestock breeds, maize varieties, and cotton management while interacting with extension officers and company agronomists.
Exhibitors thanked organisers for a well-run event and promised to raise the bar next year.
“The show was well organised and gave us a chance to learn from each other. I’m taking home a plough and seed, and that will help me expand next season,” said one maize producer.
A livestock farmer echoed the sentiment: “We appreciate the prizes and the platform to showcase our work. Next year we will come back with even more exhibitions. The competition pushes us to do better.”
Momentum Builds
With Agritex officials noting higher exhibitor numbers and improved quality, and winners walking away with valuable inputs, the momentum is clear.
As winners prepare for the District show, the event strengthened links between farmers, input suppliers, and extension services — a combination that will be critical as Chakari’s representatives aim for success on the national stage in Harare.
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