NAMIBIA’S biggest domestic agricultural show, the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show (WIAS)’s 65th edition was launched in Windhoek last week, under the theme: ‘The Big Reveal.’
The president of the Windhoek Show, Vilbard Usiku, said WIAS is transforming into a specialised showcase amidst decreasing public turnout and persistent droughts.
Usiku added that the implementation of this new edition included a strategic decision to separate the agricultural show from the Windhoek Show Society and giving it its own brand and new logo. He said the Windhoek show for many years had been operating as a supplier of general goods which resulted in vendors copying from each other and stifling innovative business ideas. Usiku explained that this in turn reduced the appeal of products and reduced the number of visitors to the show.
“The question the Windhoek Show Society (WSS) had to find an answer to was: How long can the core comprising predominantly suppliers of general goods remain the viable business proposition for this event? If the status remains intact, what should be its appropriate name?” Usiku said.
He stated that the Windhoek Show will now be focused on manufacturing, production, processing and value addition sectors in order to promote economic growth.
“The Windhoek Show’s Livestock Committee meets quarterly to discuss developments and changes affecting the enabling environment within the respective sectors and to determine to what extent the show’s policy directives need to be amended,” he said.
The Windhoek Show’s chairman of the large stock committee, Sigi von Luttwitz, commended the decision taken by the organisation’s board to transform its operations and for relaunching the WIAS 2019 with a new logo.
Von Luttwitz also said, despite the severe drought that has tormented the country over the past few years, farmers are still going strong as this year has attracted about 300 head of cattle for exhibition compared to an anticipated amount of 150.
The chief executive officer of the Windhoek Show Society, Harald Schmidt, said that the snake park will not be available this year but the event will showcase special farm animals.
“The show has been shortened to six days and is set to take place from 30 September to 5 October. Entrance fees remain unchanged, with free entrance for children and pensioners,” Schmidt said.
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