By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
THE just-ended 89th edition of the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show (ZACS) in Lusaka had beautiful highlights, more than previous ones, as it once again raised the country’s profile against the backdrop of economic challenges.
With impressive international and local exhibitors’ participation in this annual event under the theme ‘Innovation beyond the Golden Jubilee’, a lot was on display to interpret the theme well.
Nothing, not even the long-sung song of power deficit in the country, arising from the low water levels at the Kariba North Bank, could stand in the way of the event that takes a mark of success.
Those that managed to interpret the theme well like the Times of Zambia were rewarded, while others in the energy business used the current power deficit to their advantage as they showcased their innovative minds in alternative power generation.
Zambia Sugar Plc was one of the companies that showcased their innovative idea of power generation of up to 40 megawatts to cushion the current power deficit to visiting Malawian President Peter Mtharika when he toured the stand.
The innovation was not only displayed in the area of energy but irrigation, research, value-addition, industrialisation, technology, mechanisation, social enterprise and information communication technology as well.
Apart from agriculture, farm machinery, dairy, poultry, livestock equipment and agro-processing and technologies like gas stoves, generator sets and solar panels, there was something that caught many
people’s eyes- traditional medicines that included love portions and those for organ enhancement!
This year’s show clearly opened an opportunity for a number of enterprises and farmers’ organisations that saw the need of innovative ideas and adapting to technologies that support growth.
Unlike last year when the show attracted 17 foreign exhibitors, this year’s show attracted 20 countries that included Egypt, India, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Pakistan, Japan, Tanzania, Germany,
Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi.
For many years now, the show has provided an important platform to showcase Zambia’s products and give an opportunity for foreign businesses to promote their products on the Zambian market.
One interesting exhibition was in the Lima and Young Farmers halls, where farmers from the provincial centres exhibited different produce, including maize, cassava and beans and innovative ways of preserving the aforementioned products.
Eastern Province that had won the best provincial exhibitor for five times now in a line had interesting storage innovations with the popular delicacy ‘Mbeba’ mice on display as well.
At the demonstration plots which were shifted to the western side, seed companies and Zambia National Service (ZNS) were on hand to showcase various crops and vegetables.
Another demonstration plot that caught the attention of many were the new fish ponds that had different species from Zambia’s 10 provinces.
Looking at the various fish species the country has, it validates President Edgar Lungu’s disappointment at the continued importation of fish from the People’s Republic of China.
Livestock was also another prominent sector at this year’s show and, as usual, the splendid display of animals ranging from goats, sheep, cattle and poultry, demonstrated its growing importance to the economy.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock showcased what the Government was doing in improving the livestock sector in the country.
In the manufacturing sector, the show witnessed a growing presence of the manufacturing industry, particularly in the energy and agro-equipment sector where exhibitors strove to encourage farmers and individuals to use modern technologies to improve their yields and use alternative energy sources.
Interestingly, the motor industry was also more prominent at this year’s show with Toyota Zambia and Southern Cross Motors, among others, putting up splendid displays of different motor vehicle models.
Other local manufacturing firms that were prominent in their category were Zambeef, Zambia Sugar with a diversified range of products and displayed various innovations the company was undertaking.
The Lusaka Agro-Technology Museum was initiated in the 1980s by the Government. The exhibition was meant to illustrate the historical scientific development with a view to encouraging the general public to explore not only the latest technologies but also the reasoning.
The show was able to accommodate everyone, including the hawkers and peddlers who displayed various commodities and attracted huge crowds because of the various innovations that were being used to attract customers.
The arena between the COMESA Village and sports complexes on the eastern wings of the show grounds accommodated makeshift stores, occupied by a horde of micro-traders dealing in all sorts of merchandise from toys to clothes and traditional medicines.
The show was spiced up by mass movement by majorettes, army displays, ZNS calisthenics and military bands.
On the sports side, show-goers were entertained by horse riding, boxing and motor rally.
Malawian President Professor Mtharika, who was guest of honor, supported the idea of technology advancement.
Prof Mtharika pointed out that it was important to develop new technologies that would support growth in the agriculture sector, saying this would enable the farmers to have increased production, while protecting the environment.
“Such events should be encouraged, as they provide exposure and offer opportunities in trade and investment. For me, this event provides a platform for the continued growth of the bilateral relations between Malawi and Zambia. This is a relationship we have enjoyed for over 50 years,” he said.
Prof Mtharika and Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia (ACSZ) president Murray Sunderson presented the awards to Zesco, Eastern Province, National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Zambia Sugar and ZIMTRADE.
President Lungu, who is the patron of the Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia, thanked Prof Mtharika for accepting to officially open the show and was hopeful that the reciprocal visit would heighten the bilateral ties for the benefit of the citizens.
Indeed, such annual celebrations have unique powers of bringing together industries, arts and traditions in new innovative and much lucrative production and performances.