Curtains Fall On Harare Agric Show, Faces Relevance test

By Shingirai Vambe

The Harare Agricultural Show, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most iconic events, has once again come and gone. For over a century, this annual showcase has been a fixture on the national calendar, a meeting place for farmers, agricultural suppliers, and industry stakeholders to share ideas, strike deals, and celebrate the country’s farming heritage. But as this year’s show wrapped up, a quiet sense of nostalgia and concern lingered in the air.

Once upon a time, the Harare Showgrounds came alive each year with innovations that shaped the nation’s food security and agricultural strategies. Farmers showcased their finest crops and livestock, agri-businesses unveiled cutting-edge machinery, and buyers came in droves to explore trade opportunities. The event was designed as a serious platform to drive agricultural growth, innovation, and knowledge-sharing, a place where Zimbabwe’s agricultural heartbeat could be felt in every corner.

But in recent years, its core identity seems to be slipping. The agricultural showcases remain, yes, but they are increasingly overshadowed by entertainment, commercial displays, and government visibility campaigns. The glitz of parastatal stands, adorned with fresh branding and staffed by sharply dressed teams in matching uniforms, dominated the scene this year. Ministries proudly displayed their successes and initiatives, each vying for attention, while corporate sponsors used the platform to market themselves to a captive audience.

Yet beneath the glossy displays, there was a noticeable absence of the substance that made the Harare Agricultural Show a national treasure. Farmers and agricultural suppliers who once formed the backbone of the event are finding themselves sidelined, their contributions swallowed by flashy exhibitions and marketing drives.

Instead, many visitors seemed to be there for reasons entirely unrelated to agriculture. The showgrounds buzzed with long queues at the Vehicle Registry, where people rushed to renew licences, and at the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA) counters, where motorists scrambled to take advantage of temporary penalty discounts. For some, the agricultural displays were merely a backdrop to administrative errands, entertainment activities, and leisure outings.

The shift in focus reflects a broader challenge facing the Harare Agricultural Show: its ability to adapt to a rapidly changing Zimbabwe while remaining true to its roots. In its prime, the show was a mirror of the country’s agricultural ambitions. Farmers from across Zimbabwe travelled to Harare to exhibit their produce and livestock, exchange knowledge, and learn from each other. It was a melting pot of innovation, where business deals were sealed, and partnerships forged.

Today, the energy is different. Crowds still pour in, but their attention is scattered, and agriculture no longer feels like the centrepiece. Many stands are designed more for aesthetics than engagement. The roar of machinery that once signified new farming solutions is replaced by booming music from entertainment stages. The spotlight that once shone on farmers is now shared, or in some cases, eclipsed, by ministries and parastatals eager to showcase their latest initiatives.

Yet, despite this shift, the Harare Agricultural Show continues to hold significance. For the government and private sector, it remains a vital platform to demonstrate achievements and attract investment. For families, it has become an annual social outing, a place to enjoy food stalls, rides, and performances. The question, however, is whether Zimbabwe can afford for this event to evolve purely into a spectacle at the cost of its original mission.

The nation’s agricultural sector is at a crossroads. Climate change, fluctuating commodity prices, and the need for food security make innovation and investment in farming more critical than ever. The Harare Agricultural Show could be a vital stage for these conversations, but only if its organisers consciously restore agriculture to the heart of the event.

As the sun set on the showgrounds this year, the brightly lit stands began to dim, and workers started packing up decorations and banners. The atmosphere was festive, but also reflective. This is a heritage event, an institution that has stood the test of time through wars, economic challenges, and political shifts. Its endurance is a testament to Zimbabwe’s resilience.

But endurance alone is not enough. For the Harare Agricultural Show to thrive for another hundred years, it must reclaim its purpose as a hub for agricultural advancement. It must become a space where farmers once again feel seen, where new farming technologies are unveiled, and where young innovators can find support to drive the sector forward.

The event not only celebrated its 115th anniversary but also drew renewed attention to Zimbabwe’s place in regional trade and agricultural transformation, as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Harare as Guest of Honour to officially open the show.

President Ramaphosa touched down in Harare on 29 August 2025 for a working visit at the invitation of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. The visit, steeped in diplomacy and economic symbolism, served as a reaffirmation of the enduring ties between the two neighbouring nations. Against a backdrop of colourful exhibitions and an atmosphere buzzing with pride and expectation, the Harare Agricultural Show became a platform not only for showcasing Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential but also for strengthening economic cooperation across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

630 exhibitors, including 16 international participants, and visited by approximately 230,000 people. While these numbers reflect its prominence, this year’s milestone edition elevated the show’s significance even further, signalling Zimbabwe’s ambitions to reassert itself as an agricultural powerhouse and trading hub.

Addressing the gathered dignitaries, farmers, business leaders, and international guests, President Ramaphosa delivered a speech that was both congratulatory and forward-looking. He applauded Zimbabwe’s efforts to revive its agricultural sector through policy reforms, investment in irrigation, mechanization, and support for small- and large-scale farmers.

Drawing parallels between Zimbabwe’s post-independence land reforms and South Africa’s own struggles for land and economic justice, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of regional collaboration. He noted that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, employing millions and contributing significantly to GDP, and stressed the need for cross-border partnerships to bolster food security, investment, and trade.

Zimbabwe and South Africa have long shared deep economic ties. In 2024, South Africa exported goods worth R69.21 billion to Zimbabwe, a significant increase from R57.5 billion in 2023. Vegetables accounted for R11.9 billion of these exports, while Zimbabwe exported R5.4 billion worth of goods back to South Africa, up from R4.4 billion the previous year.

More than 120 South African companies currently operate in Zimbabwe, spanning industries such as mining, aviation, tourism, retail, construction, banking, property, and fast food. Ramaphosa’s presence at the Harare Agricultural Show symbolized a commitment to deepening these economic partnerships, particularly in the agricultural sector.

He urged the private sector in both countries to seize opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and to invest in seeds, training, irrigation schemes, agro-processing facilities, and infrastructure development.

“The development of road, rail, and aviation infrastructure is a key catalyst to take agriculture to an even higher level,” Ramaphosa said. “We must work toward a more enabling regulatory environment and invest in women and youth-owned farming enterprises to strengthen our agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs.”