Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
Zimbabwe is ramping up drought preparedness ahead of a projected low-rainfall 2026/27 season driven by El Niño.
As a result, climate resilience will take centre stage at the upcoming National Agriculture Conference and Expo.
This comes after the Meteorological Services Department projected a high probability of below-normal rainfall for the 2026/27 season due to persisting El Niño.
The agriculture conference will run from September 24 to 25, at the University of Zimbabwe, under the theme “Transforming Agriculture for Resilience, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”
Zimbabwe must adopt mitigatory measures ahead of a drought to protect food security, stabilise the economy and prevent catastrophic livestock and livelihood losses.
Proactive planning transitions the country from a reactive crisis-management mode to a resilient, prepared posture, significantly reducing the human and financial costs of climate shocks.
Investing in early mitigation is far cheaper than funding massive, emergency humanitarian food imports once a drought hits.
Because agriculture drives Zimbabwe’s economy, protecting crops through micro-irrigation sustains local supply chains and agro-industries.
The African Economic Development Strategy (AEDS) said on its X handle that drought threatens farms, dining tables and the economy, but Zimbabwe can adapt and thrive through smart innovation, policy integration and climate-adapted farming.
“Building an inclusive agricultural economy requires reliable infrastructure, smart water harvesting, and tailored investments,” said AEDS.
“Zimbabwe’s agriculture transformation takes centre stage at the National Agriculture Conference and Expo as stakeholders converge to advance resilience, investment, inclusive growth and the country’s ambition to become a regional food hub.”
Cabinet has approved a comprehensive six-pillar drought mitigation plan, which is expected to feature prominently at the conference.
The pillars encompass enhanced strategic grain reserves, accelerated climate-smart production, integrated financing architecture, livestock drought mitigation, enhanced imports, coordination, early warning systems and capacity building.
Organisers say the expo will dive straight into solutions, bringing together farmers, policymakers, private sector leaders, financial institutions and agricultural experts to unpack practical drought adaptation frameworks, climate-smart farming and irrigation expansion.
“Anticipated El Niño conditions require proactive, decisive action. We are bringing key stakeholders together to discuss the Government’s comprehensive preparedness framework designed to protect our national agricultural output, secure rural livelihoods, and guarantee food security,” the organisers said.
A key highlight will be the “Dam as an Economy” initiative, which drives sustainable development through five core pillars: water, fisheries, hydropower, irrigation and communities.
The initiative seeks to transform water infrastructure into dynamic hubs for renewable energy, food production and local commercial growth.
Discussions will also operationalise climate-proofing interventions including climate-smart Pfumvudza/Intwasa practices, dam-driven irrigation expansion, and strategic grain reserves.
With shifting weather patterns and El Niño shocks impacting production, stakeholders say securing national food security requires immediate, coordinated action focused on investment, inclusive growth and resilience.
The National Agriculture Conference and Expo is being organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resource Development in partnership with AEDS, Agriculture Marketing Authority, University of Zimbabwe and Buy Zimbabwe, among others.
