By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Once a proud display of Zimbabwe’s agricultural prowess, the Harare Agricultural Show was a symbol of the country’s identity as the “breadbasket of Africa.”
Families would flock to the Exhibition Park to admire prize livestock, sample fresh produce, and celebrate the nation’s farming achievements.
But today, the show feels . . . different.
With consecutive droughts and a struggling agricultural sector, the core purpose of the event seems to be fading.
Where once there were rows of maize, cows, and tractors, there are now loudspeakers, dance competitions, and giveaways.
The once dignified hum of agricultural pride has been drowned out by the blare of music, as companies – both large and small – compete for attention with booming speakers and flashing lights.
Even parastatals like ZESA have taken to blasting music just to attract crowds. It’s not uncommon to see children dancing furiously at stands, hoping to win a cap, a T-shirt, or a mug.
It’s become a youthful playground – fun, loud, and chaotic. On Wednesday, school children in uniform were allowed in for free to boost attendance. And it worked. The grounds filled with energy, but not necessarily for agriculture.
Mothers with toddlers now chase crowds from one musical stand to the next, hoping to grab a little joy in the form of a freebie. Companies, squeezed by the economy, can no longer afford to give these items away. Instead, they make the crowd “earn” them with a dance, a cheer, a show.
Tech giants like Econet, TelOne and NetOne have embraced the shift, offering gaming zones to draw in the young and curious.
The livestock enclosures of the past? Some of that space now houses Greenfields Mall, a complex of fast food joints and arcades – a sign of changing times.
The show is no longer what it used to be – and maybe it can’t be. But as the music plays and the dance contests roll on, many are left wondering: has the Harare Agricultural Show lost its soul, or is it simply evolving with the times?
One thing is clear – the fields are quieter, but the noise has never been louder.
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