Dr Cosmos Magorokosho
FARMERS, you may have heard worrying news about El Niño and the possibility of a dry and hot season ahead.
It is true that weather patterns are shifting, rainfall may be less than we hope for and temperatures may be above normal in the coming season. But we want to share something important: you are not powerless in the face of this challenge.
In fact, you have more tools, more knowledge and more options than any generation of farmers before you.
As agricultural researchers across Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and the world, we have been studying climate change for decades. We have learned from past El Niño events—1991/92, 2001/02, 2015/16—and we have discovered practical, affordable strategies that can help you protect your harvest and your family’s food security. We want to share those discoveries with you.
The good news about your soil
Here is something that may surprise you: the most powerful drought-fighting tool on your farm is already there, it is your soil. Research has shown that healthy soil can hold water like a sponge, storing it for weeks after the rain stops. This means that even if rainfall is below normal, you can still grow a successful crop if your soil is in good condition.
Think of your soil as a bank account for water. Every time you add organic matter—compost, grass, manure, crop residues or green manure crops, you are making a deposit. When drought comes, your plants can withdraw that stored water from the soil bank.
A story of hope
During the 2015/16 drought, researchers compared farms across Zimbabwe. We found that farmers who had been practicing conservation agriculture leaving crop residues on the soil, minimising tillage and rotating crops harvested significantly more than their neighbours who used conventional methods, even though both received the same amount of rainfall. The difference was not luck, it was soil health.
What you can do this week
Look at your soil. If it is dark, crumbly and full of organic matter, you are in a good position. If it is hard, compacted and pale, do not worry, you can start improving it today.
Gather organic matter. Collect crop residues, animal manure, compost, leaves and grass. These are your drought insurance.
Protect your soil from the sun. Bare soil loses water quickly through evaporation. A layer of mulch (crop residues or grass) can reduce water loss by up to 70 percent. That is water your plants can use instead of
losing to the hot sun.
Reassuring Fact: You do not need expensive inputs to improve your soil. The best soil amendments are often freely available on your farm: crop residues, animal manure and compost.
Smart choices for crops and water – simple solutions that work
1. Choosing the right crops: There is a crop for every season
One of the most reassuring messages from research is this: there is always something that will grow. Even in dry years, certain crops thrive. The key is to match your crops to the expected conditions.
What research shows
Sorghum and millet are not just “survival crops” — they are productive, nutritious grains that have fed Zimbabwean families for centuries. They use water more efficiently than maize and continue producing grain even when the air is hot and dry.
Cowpeas, groundnuts, and Bambara nuts are legumes that fix their own nitrogen from the air, meaning they need less fertilizer than maize. They also produce protein-rich food for your family.
Sweet potatoes and cassava are root crops that can survive dry spells better than grain crops because they store water and nutrients in their roots.
A message of encouragement
If you are worried about maize this season, remember that diversifying your crops is not a step backward—it is a step toward security. Farmers who plant a mix of crops are less likely to face total crop failure than those who plant only maize. Think of it as not putting all your eggs in one basket.
What you can do
Plant at least three different crops this season. For example, you could plant maize on part of your land, sorghum on another part, and cowpeas or groundnuts on the rest.
Try traditional varieties. Ask your local seed supplier or agricultural extension agent about traditional landrace seeds. These varieties have survived many droughts in Zimbabwe and carry valuable adaptations.
Use intercropping. Planting legumes alongside maize or sorghum can improve soil fertility and make better use of available water.
2. Water wisdom: Every drop counts and you can capture more than you think
Here is a reassuring truth: Zimbabwe receives some rainfall in most years to grow a crop—the challenge is capturing and keeping that water where your plants can use it.
What research shows
Water harvesting is simple and effective. Techniques like contour ridges, infiltration pits, and Pfumvudza/Intwasa planting holes can capture rainwater and direct it to your crops’ roots instead of letting it run off.
Even small interventions make a big difference. Research in Zimbabwe has shown that simple contour ridges can increase crop yields by 30-50 percent in dry years.
Groundwater is a hidden resource. Water stored underground does not evaporate like water in dams or tanks. By creating conditions for water to soak into the soil, you are building a water reserve that lasts for months.
What you can do
Create contour ridges or bunds along the slope of your land. These simple earth walls slow down rainwater and give it time to soak into the soil.
Prepare “Pfumvudza/Intwasa” planting holes in low-lying areas where water naturally collects. These holes help water sink into the ground instead of evaporating.
Use mulch generously. A 5-10cm layer of mulch on your fields can dramatically reduce water loss and keep your soil moist longer.
Reassuring Fact: Many of these water-harvesting techniques use materials you already have — stones, earth, and crop residues. They require labour not money.
Caring for your livestock and your family — Practical hope for the season
3. Livestock: Your Animals Are an Asset, Not a Burden
If you keep livestock, you may be worried about how they will survive a dry season. Research offers reassuring guidance: with smart management, your animals can thrive even in challenging conditions.
What research shows
Goats are naturally drought-resilient. They can eat bushes and trees that cattle cannot digest, and they need less water per kilogram of body weight. If you are considering expanding your livestock, goats are a wise choice for dry conditions.
Urea-molasses blocks are a low-cost miracle. These simple supplements help cattle digest poor-quality dry grass more efficiently, meaning they need less feed and less water. You can make them yourself with locally available materials.
Early destocking preserves value. If you decide to sell some animals, selling them early — while they are still healthy — will get you a much better price than waiting until they are weak. This is not a loss; it is smart financial planning.
A message of encouragement
Your animals are not a burden during drought—they are an asset that you can manage wisely. By making thoughtful decisions now, you can protect both your livestock and your family’s food security.
What you can do
Assess your livestock numbers now. Do you have more animals than you can comfortably feed and water through a dry season? If so, consider selling some while prices are still good.
Prepare urea-molasses blocks for your cattle. Your local extension officer or agronomist can show you how to make them.
Consider adding goats to your herd. They complement cattle and provide milk and meat with less water demand.
4. Protecting your family: Food safety and nutrition
Here is something reassuring: you can protect your family’s health during drought with simple, low-cost practices.
What research shows
Proper grain drying and storage prevents contamination. The invisible poison called aflatoxin — produced by fungi — can be prevented by drying grain thoroughly and storing it in clean, dry conditions.
Diverse diets are more nutritious. Growing a variety of crops (grains, legumes, vegetables) ensures your family gets the protein, vitamins, and minerals they need, even when maize yields are low.
Small kitchen gardens make a big difference. A small plot of leafy vegetables near your home, watered with household wastewater, can provide essential nutrients for your family throughout the dry season.
What you can do
Dry grain properly before storage. Grain should be hard and brittle when you bite it. Store in clean, dry containers, preferably airtight.
Plant a kitchen garden. Even a small area of cabbage, covo, or traditional leafy vegetables near your home can provide daily nutrition.
Include legumes in your meals. Beans, cowpeas, and groundnuts provide protein that complements grain-based meals.
5. A final word of encouragement
As we face the season ahead, remember this: Zimbabwean farmers are resilient. We have faced drought before, and we have learned from every experience. The research community is standing with you, offering knowledge that has been tested and proven in fields just like yours.
Key messages to remember
n Your soil is your greatest ally. Feed it with organic matter and it will feed you.
n Diversity is strength. Plant a mix of crops to spread your risk.
n Every drop of water counts. Harvest and store water in your soil.
n Your livestock are manageable assets. Make smart decisions early.
n You are not alone. Researchers, extension officers and fellow farmers are all working toward the same goal: a successful harvest and food security for all Zimbabwean families.
El Niño is a weather pattern, not a destiny. The outcome of this season will be determined not just by rainfall, but by the choices we make. By applying the research-based practices in this guide, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of success. We believe in you, and we are here to support you.
Together, we will navigate this season with wisdom, resilience and hope.
n Dr Cosmos Magorokosho, Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
