Online Reporter
Farmers in both Matabeleland North and South provinces are already working on strategies to mitigate the effects of the predicted El Nino-induced drought during the 2026/27summer cropping season.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) in Matabeleland South has intensified its campaign to encourage farmers to grow traditional small grains and also adopt climate-smart farming practices ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season following forecasts of a high probability of an El Nino- induced drought.
The province, one of Zimbabwe’s driest regions, is encouraging farmers to plant drought tolerant and short- season varieties that thrive even under erratic rainfall.
The Ardas provincial director Mrs Shupikai Sibanda said the department was implementing a wide range of drought mitigation strategies to ensure farmers harvest during the 2026/27 cropping season and that livestock survive the drought.
Mrs Sibanda said measures to ensure availability of water were being given top priority.
She said to ensure coverage of the entire province, drought mitigation task teams had been established from ward to provincial level.
Mrs Sibanda said farmers will be supported to plant drought-tolerant fodder crops such as lablab, velvet beans and forage sorghum.
“We have intensified training and education on fodder production so that farmers prioritise producing feed for their livestock instead of buying expensive feed,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said hay bailing was in full swing across the province and so far the province has more than 300 000 bales out of a target of 700 000.
She said the province has more than 5 000 tonnes of silage and more was being produced.
The drought mitigation strategies being implemented in Matabeleland South are being replicated in Matabeleland North which is also a drought prone province.
Government has urged farmers to accelerate cutting of grass and baling hay to preserve livestock feed instead of burning the grass in the face of the predicted El Nino- induced drought.
One of the most effective drought mitigation strategies is the preservation of feed resources during seasons of abundance like the last cropping season when the country received above normal rains.
Zimbabwe is enjoying the benefits of investing in its agriculture sector as evidenced by the country saving about US$200 million in maize imports alone between last year and January this year.
According to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats), the country spent US$603 million on maize imports in 2024 compared to US$443 million in 2025 representing 26 percent drop. In January this year, maize imports dropped by 59 percent compared to the same month last year.
The boost in maize and other grain production is attributed to efforts of the EL Nino Drought Action Committee (DAC) which was established in response to the 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought.
The committee is made up of ministries representatives, academics, the private sector and development partners and its mandate is to come up with strategies to boost grain production.
It is our fervent hope that DAC is already on the ground once again as the country braces for another El Nino-induced drought which scientists have upgraded to a “Super El Nino indicating it will be far more intense.
There is a need to ensure food security despite the drought hence the need for DAC to come up with strategies to boost production even in the face of low rainfall.
