Online Reporter
Agriculture Reporter
The Government has rolled out a comprehensive six-pillar drought-mitigation strategy designed to cushion the nation against the adverse impacts of the El Niño-induced dry spell, anchored by a targeted build-up of 600 000 metric tonnes in the Strategic Grain Reserve by October 2027.
Addressing delegates at a high-level summit organised by Zimpapers at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Showgrounds, Professor Obert Jiri, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, outlined the multi-pronged framework aimed at safeguarding both national and household food security through meticulous forward planning.
Under Pillar One, the strategy entails strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve, Professor Jiri said.
The centrepiece of the intervention focuses on accumulating 600 000 metric tonnes of grain dedicated strictly to social welfare interventions.
This national buffer is specifically calculated to feed vulnerable populations during the peak lean season – spanning January to March – when food shortages reach their seasonal peak.
Rather than relying on yields from lean production seasons, the government is building the reserve incrementally across four key agricultural cycles:
Past summer harvest: An initial ring-fenced target of 150 000 metric tonnes has already been surpassed, with 158 000 metric tonnes secured to date.
Upcoming summer season: A target of 150 000 metric tonnes is set despite projected harsh climatic conditions.
Current wheat harvest: An additional 150 000 metric tonnes is being ring-fenced from ongoing winter harvesting operations.
Winter 2027 season: The final 150 000 metric tonnes will complete the target of 600 000 metric tonnes by October 2027.
Complementing national stock management, the first pillar also places heavy emphasis on household-level grain preservation.
The government is urging families to retain and properly store sufficient grain to carry their households through the dry months rather than selling off all yields immediately.
Media partners, including the Zimpapers Group, are playing a crucial role in amplifying public awareness and educating communities on post-harvest loss reduction.
To ensure complete resilience across the agricultural supply chain, the overall government blueprint integrates five additional critical operational areas alongside the Strategic Grain Reserve.
Accelerated Climate-Smart Production
Expanding the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation agriculture model to maximise soil moisture retention, while aggressively identifying and ring-fencing irrigable land for cereal production.
Integrated Agricultural Financing: Mobilising flexible financial architecture and insurance mechanisms to cushion farmers and private-sector producers against climate shocks.
Livestock Drought Mitigation: Protecting national herds through targeted feed distribution, emergency water-point management and structured destocking programmes.
Facilitated Strategic Grain Imports: Creating streamlined frameworks for private-sector import participation to bridge cereal supply deficits where necessary.
Enhanced Coordination and Early Warning Systems: Strengthening real-time climate monitoring, rapid-response units and inter-agency coordination down to ward level.
Through this proactive strategy, the government aims to decouple national food security from immediate weather volatility, ensuring no Zimbabwean succumbs to hunger during severe climatic cycles.
