Farmers urged to align preparations with six pillars ahead of 2026/27 summer season

Chief Director of Agricultural Development Advisory Services (ADAS), Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, said early planning remains the country's strongest defence against climate shocks, adding that Government is preparing for the worst-case scenario while hoping for a favourable season.

Nyasha Simbisai-Agriculture correspondent
Farmers should start implementing climate-smart production practices and align their preparations with Government’s six-pillar drought preparedness framework as Zimbabwe gears up for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, the Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Water Resources Development has said.
With early climate indicators pointing to a high probability of an El Niño event, although the official seasonal forecast from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) is yet to be released, Government says preparations cannot wait.
Chief Director of Agricultural Development Advisory Services (ADAS), Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, said early planning remains the country’s strongest defence against climate shocks, adding that Government is preparing for the worst-case scenario while hoping for a favourable season.
“We have realised that planning early is critical. Climate indicators are already pointing to a possible El Niño, although the official forecast is still being finalised by the Meteorological Services Department,” she said in an interview on the Ministry’s summer preparedness programme.
“We are therefore preparing for the worst-case scenario using lessons from the 2023/24 drought so that whatever happens, Zimbabwe will be ready.”
Mrs Magwenzi said the Ministry was also taking into account global economic challenges, including rising fertiliser and fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions, making it imperative for farmers to adopt cost-effective and climate-resilient production systems.
She said the six pillars guiding the national drought preparedness plan provide practical interventions that farmers should begin implementing before the onset of the rains.
Under the first pillar, Government is strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve to ensure adequate national stocks during periods of climatic uncertainty.
Zimbabwe’s AI-powered silos can store up to 600 000 tonnes of grain and Government plans to progressively build these reserves using grain from successive summer and winter harvests.
Mrs Magwenzi said beneficiaries of the Presidential Input Programme would also be encouraged to voluntarily contribute 10 kilogrammes of grain each towards strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve.
“This is not a tax or a levy. It is a voluntary contribution by farmers who wish to support national food security after benefiting from Government programmes,” she said.
She said the second pillar, which focuses on climate-smart production, remains the cornerstone of the country’s summer cropping programme.
“Pfumvudza/Intwasa is no longer simply an input support programme. It has become a proven way of farming in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Mrs Magwenzi urged farmers to prepare planting basins early, apply manure and agricultural lime where necessary, and collect sufficient mulch from crop residues, grasses and other organic materials to conserve moisture ahead of planting.
The Government is targeting the expansion of Pfumvudza/Intwasa to one million hectares, with particular emphasis on districts that experience recurrent droughts.
Training programmes through Master Farmer training, Farmer Field Schools and the agricultural extension system are also being intensified to improve farmers’ technical skills and increase productivity.
She said irrigation will play a critical role in the coming season, with Government developing incentive packages to encourage all farmers with access to water to undertake irrigated crop production.
Farmers have also been urged to match crop choices with their agro-ecological regions by planting suitable crop varieties capable of performing well under expected climatic conditions.
Mrs Magwenzi said the third pillar focuses on financing agricultural production through contract farming, the Presidential Input Programme, financial institutions and private sector partnerships.
The Government is also promoting integrated soil fertility management to reduce dependence on expensive inorganic fertilisers while expanding agricultural insurance schemes to protect farmers against climate-related risks.
The fourth pillar prioritises livestock protection. Mrs Magwenzi said Government is assessing livestock populations in vulnerable areas to determine feed and water requirements while mapping areas with surplus hay, silage and treated crop stover for redistribution where shortages occur.
Livestock vaccination programmes and the National Tick Control Programme will also be intensified to reduce disease outbreaks during periods of drought.
She said the fifth pillar provides for strategic imports of cereals and livestock feed should domestic production fall short, while households will continue to be allowed to import basic food commodities up to March 2028 under existing policy measures.
The sixth pillar focuses on coordination, communication and farmer education.
Mrs Magwenzi said the Ministry has already engaged seed companies, fertiliser suppliers, the Grain Marketing Board and other stakeholders to ensure adequate supplies of agricultural inputs before planting begins.
She urged farmers to begin preparing now rather than waiting for the onset of the rains.
“When we talk about El Niño, we do not only talk about drought. If we all plan properly and implement the recommended interventions, we will be able to minimise its effects. The important thing is to prepare early and execute our plans on time.”
Mrs Magwenzi said the Government’s objective remains clear—to ensure Zimbabwe maintains sustainable agricultural production and guarantees food security everywhere, every day, regardless of seasonal conditions.