Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (2022): A memorable trade experience!!!
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council participated in the 112th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show premier business trade showcase held in Harare from 29th August to 3rd September 2022. The Zimbabwe’s leading annual business expo brought together local, regional and international exhibitors for opportunities in trade synergies, market development and networking.
By Donald Dube (ZNFPC)
Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) exhibition ran under the theme, ‘Unequalled Business Opportunities; Accessibility, Accountability, Abundance’ while ZNFPC exhibited under the theme, ‘Quality Integrated Family Planning services for socio-economic development’. This year’s edition of ZAS was graced and officially opened by the President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi on the 2nd September 2022.
Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is one of the largest international trade fairs in Africa. The annual exhibition offered exposure to trade amongst business-to-business interactions and with the public as well. The multi-sectoral and multi-national expo provided a convenient trade hub for businesses across Zimbabwe, Africa and Internationally. The successful hosting of the international trade exhibition is a reflection of the progress witnessed under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) exhibited in the Rajiv Gandhi Hall with other fellow health stakeholders. Ensuring that all women and men of reproductive age have access to quality family planning products and services is a priority for ZNFPC as it contributes towards the nation’s health and socio-economic development goals. In total, 4500 people visited the stand to access free Family Planning and Reproductive Health information and clinical products and service of choice. Categorizing the numbers, a total of 744 youth females and 625 youth males from the age 10-24 years visited the stand while 2300 adult females and 831 adult males above the age of 25 years passed through the stand and accessed free information and clinical services.
The ZNFPC Acting Board Chairperson Dr Stanzia Moyo together with other Board Members visited the stand and acknowledged efforts by the organization to reach out to the people with services. Dr Moyo said, “It is essential to showcase our products and services and offer free services to the nation to encourage health seeking behaviours amongst people such that clients are able to make informed decisions.
Quiz competitions were held on public days of the exhibition. The purpose of the quiz show was mainly for interactive information dissemination to address knowledge gaps in family planning and adolescent and youth sexual reproductive health services. A wide range of prizes were won, including eighty branded t-shirts which carried specific messages, ‘Stop Child Marriages’ and ‘Say NO to Teenage Pregnancy’. The quiz show competitions proved to be crowd pulling and fun filled events.