The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia – ACSZ has announced the cancellation of the 2020 Agricultural and Commercial show due to the prevailing global pandemic caused by COVID – 19.
Society’s President Cosmas Michello has explained that the move is in response to government’s implementation of several multi-sectoral measures to fight the COVID – 19 pandemic which has led to the introduction of myriad public health measures and have adversely affected the routine preparations of the show.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on June 15, 2020 attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Michello said the society normally take 6 months to prepare but the current prevailing health guidelines has made it impractical to host Zambia’s most prestigious Agriculture and Commercial show this year.
He said the society found it prudent to cancel the premiere show to complement government’s measures adding that the secretariat remains operational and proceed with planning arrangements for the 2021 Agriculture and Commercial show
And when asked to estimated revenue loss from this year’s show, the president could not disclose the figures but confirmed that the society is expected to lose huge amount of money from the cancellation of the show.
“This has been a painful decision for the Board but it is in the interest of our exhibitors, stakeholders, and the general public. We believe in ensuring the safety of all show goers and organizing world-class exhibitors, which cannot be guaranteed this year due to the outbreak of the disease,’ He said.
Michello added that the society further plans to hold mini-shows for specific sectors when the situation becomes favorable and it remains determined to effectively play its role during this pandemic recovery process by initiating the preparations for next year’s show early enough to assist the industry players, show goers, smallholder farmers and delegates to adequately plan ahead.
Meanwhile, this year’s Agricultural and Commercial show was slated for the 29th of July to 3rd August 2020 under the theme “Innovation Through Technology” while next year’s show has been set to take place from 28th July to 2nd August 2021 whose theme will be announced at an appropriate time.
