Zimbabwe faces another stern test of its agricultural resilience as forecasts point to below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells and higher temperatures during the 2026/27 summer cropping season.
With the threat of El Niño hanging over the country, preparations must go beyond merely anticipating drought to ensuring that farmers make the most of whatever rainfall is received.
Government’s decision to establish a $500mn El Niño protection fund, comprising $250mn in cash and $250mn worth of strategic grain reserves, is therefore a welcome and necessary intervention.
However, financial preparedness must be complemented by widespread adoption of climate-smart agriculture if we are to protect food security and minimise economic disruption.
The emphasis must be on maximising agricultural productivity under increasingly unpredictable rainfall conditions. Conservation agriculture, particularly the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, offers an opportunity to conserve soil moisture, reduce water losses and improve yields even when rainfall is limited.
Farmers should be encouraged to adopt early planting, mulching, minimum tillage, crop rotation and drought-tolerant seed varieties.
Greater cultivation of traditional grains such as sorghum and millet, which generally withstand dry conditions better than maize, should also become a national priority.
Government’s target of placing one million hectares under Pfumvudza/Intwasa this season is encouraging. Nevertheless, achieving meaningful results requires timely distribution of inputs, effective extension services and practical guidance on planting dates and moisture conservation.
There is little benefit in distributing seed and fertiliser after the critical planting window has passed.
Equally important is investment in irrigation infrastructure, dam rehabilitation, water harvesting and efficient irrigation technologies. We cannot continue relying overwhelmingly on rain-fed agriculture when climate variability increasingly threatens national food production.
The proposed $500mn protection fund provides another critical layer of security. Its two components recognise that drought presents both a food supply challenge and a financial emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Physical grain reserves will cushion vulnerable households against shortages, while readily available cash can finance emergency imports, irrigation support, livestock protection and other necessary measures.
We cite Finance Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga as saying elsewhere today that the Government had already accumulated more than 200,000 tonnes of maize in strategic reserves.
“We’re buying maize from local farmers, which is actually our preference, rather than importation,” he said.
This approach deserves support because purchasing grain locally strengthens agricultural incomes while reducing dependence on imports and preserving foreign currency.
However, the planned fund must translate into actual cash holdings and adequately stocked reserves, supported by transparent procurement, proper storage and accountable management.
The proposed strategic reserve target of 450,000 tonnes should be pursued consistently rather than only when drought threatens.
Zimbabwe’s experience demonstrates that preparing for agricultural emergencies is considerably cheaper than responding to widespread crop failures, food shortages and distressed livestock sales.
Ultimately, the country needs a coordinated strategy combining climate-smart farming, irrigation development, reliable grain reserves and accessible emergency financing.
The coming season may bring limited rainfall, but careful preparation can ensure that every available drop contributes to agricultural production. Building resilience today is essential to protecting tomorrow’s harvests, livelihoods and national economic stability.
