Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
FARMERS in Matabeleland North province have been urged to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, prioritise drought-tolerant crops and strengthen livestock feed management as the country prepares for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season amid forecasts of drier-than-normal conditions.
The call was made by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North, Richard Moyo, who was represented by the director of finance, administration and human resources in his office, Mr Mbizo Moyo, during the provincial Summer Cropping Plan and Drought Mitigation Strategy dissemination workshop at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo yesterday.
The workshop brought together farmers from Umguza, Lupane and Tsholotsho districts, alongside agricultural stakeholders, to discuss preparations for the coming season and measures to mitigate the potential effects of drought.
In his address, Minister Moyo said the rainfall outlook required farmers and relevant institutions to prepare early and take practical steps to safeguard agricultural production and livelihoods.
“This season requires particular vigilance. The rainfall outlook indicates a risk of drier-than-normal conditions associated with El Niño-related climate variability.
“We must take this warning seriously without creating panic,” he said.
He said farmers should use seasonal forecasts, conserve water, select crops suited to their respective agro-ecological regions and plant at the appropriate time to minimise the risks associated with unreliable rainfall.
Agriculture remains central to Matabeleland North’s economy, supporting household food security, livestock and crop value chains, employment and economic growth.
Minister Moyo said small grains, particularly sorghum and pearl millet, should remain important options in drier areas because of their ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions better than maize.
He urged farmers to embrace conservation agriculture, mulching, minimum soil disturbance, timely weeding and moisture conservation, while making efficient use of available water resources.
“Climate-smart agriculture must move from policy into everyday practice,” he said, adding that irrigation schemes and water infrastructure should be properly maintained and managed to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water.
The minister also emphasised the need for farmers to access quality agricultural inputs on time, warning against counterfeit products and calling for transparency in the distribution of Government support.
He said farmers, financial institutions, agro-dealers, seed houses and other private-sector players should work together to ensure that suitable seed, fertiliser and other inputs reached beneficiaries before the planting window.
On livestock protection, Minister Moyo urged farmers to prepare fodder reserves, conserve hay, make silage, manage water points and seek veterinary advice on disease prevention and early destocking where necessary.
“Our success will not be measured by the number of meetings held, but by the hectares productively planted, the livestock protected, the yields achieved, the households whose food security is strengthened and the livelihoods sustained through the season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Strategic Grain Reserve 200HA Plus Club chairperson Mr Tichaona Mapfoche said the organisation was working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development to equip farmers with practical knowledge on drought preparedness and sustainable production.
The club, a network of commercial farmers running a mentorship programme, is partnering the ministry through a nationwide campaign involving the dissemination of the Six-Pillar Drought Mitigation Strategy and summer planning workshops.
Mr Mapfoche said the initiative was intended to strengthen coordination between Government and farmers, share agricultural information and build resilience in communities ahead of the anticipated drought conditions.
“We’re currently conducting a nationwide campaign with ARDAS comprising workshops on the Joint Six-Pillar Drought Mitigation Strategy and summer planning workshops,” he said.
The programme has been conducted in several provinces, including Mashonaland West, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland South and the Midlands, with the aim of ensuring farmers understood the measures required to protect their crops and livestock.
Mr Mapfoche said the club was complementing Government’s food security initiatives by supporting and capacitating fellow farmers, particularly emerging farmers, through mentorship and knowledge-sharing.
“Farmers are being advised to plant maize strictly under irrigation and shift traditional grains to dryland conditions since they are more resilient to harsh drought,” he said.
Mr Mapfoche also underscored the importance of strengthening strategic grain reserves and ensuring that early warning messages reached farmers and communities in time for them to make informed decisions.
The initiative is expected to reinforce preparedness at community level by helping farmers align their production plans with prevailing climatic conditions.
Both speakers urged farmers to heed agricultural extension advice, conserve available resources and work closely with relevant departments to reduce the impact of drought.
The 2026/2027 summer cropping season comes at a time when early planning, appropriate crop selection and coordinated interventions are critical to safeguarding food supplies and protecting rural livelihoods.
