Theseus Mauruki Shambare
MASHONALAND Central Province is intensifying efforts to prepare farmers for the 2026/27 summer cropping season, with traditional grains, irrigation development and climate-smart farming practices being prioritised as the country braces for an anticipated El Niño-induced reduction in rainfall.
The drought preparedness programme is being jointly spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) 200ha Plus Club Zimbabwe, combining Government’s agricultural extension structures with farmer-led production initiatives to strengthen national food security.
The initiative has decentralised drought preparedness engagements to district, ward and village levels to ensure farmers receive early-warning information and adopt appropriate production strategies ahead of the planting season.
The campaign is also promoting Government’s Six-Pillar Drought Mitigation Strategy, which seeks to safeguard agricultural production, livestock and national food security amid forecasts of below-normal rainfall.
Speaking at a provincial summer cropping planning meeting in Mazowe, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland Central Christopher Magomo said farmers must take advantage of available interventions rather than abandon the season because of anticipated dry conditions.
“As a province, we have a responsibility to translate Government’s drought mitigation measures into practical action at community level,” he said.
“We must ensure that our farmers are adequately informed, prepared and equipped to withstand the challenges ahead.
“We cannot afford to sit back and wait for the effects of drought.”
Minister Magomo said through collective efforts involving Government departments, traditional leaders, agricultural stakeholders and farmers, the people’s livelihoods would be safeguarded and food security strengthened.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) provincial director Mr Misheck Chitoromere said the engagements, which started in August, were being conducted across all administrative levels to ensure information reached farming communities in time.
“We have been doing these meetings since August. They are taking place at provincial level, district level, in every ward and every village,” he said.
“We are so decentralised that we even have business advisors in villages.”
Mr Chitoromere said farmers were being encouraged to increase production of traditional grains, adopt short-season varieties and upscale Pfumvudza, which promotes moisture conservation through mulching.
He said El Niño conditions did not automatically translate into drought, urging farmers to remain productive while adapting their cropping choices to prevailing climatic conditions.
“That is our main message. Farmers should do their part by growing traditional grains, adopting short-season varieties and utilising irrigation.
“That is the way to go so that we survive,” he said.
The strategy encourages farmers with irrigation infrastructure to prioritise maize production, while those relying on rainfall are being called upon to consider drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet.
Meanwhile, the SGR 200ha Plus Club Zimbabwe is targeting 60 000 hectares under maize and sorghum during the 2026/27 agricultural season, adding a significant production component to the joint preparedness initiative.
Club chairman Mr Tichaona Mapfoche said 35 000 hectares would be allocated to traditional grains, particularly sorghum, while 25 000 hectares would be dedicated to maize.
The target represents an expansion from the 17 000 hectares cultivated under the club’s previous-season joint venture model involving 436 farmers.
“Our target is to double the hectarage we achieved last season. This season, our combined target for maize and sorghum production is 60 000 hectares,” he said.
Mr Mapfoche said all irrigated hectarage belonging to participating farmers had been dedicated to maize production to complement Government’s national food security initiatives.
The broader drought mitigation strategy also addresses strategic grain reserves, agricultural financing, livestock drought mitigation, enhanced inputs, coordination and early-warning systems.
Farmers are additionally being encouraged to preserve livestock feed, prevent veld fires and strengthen animal disease prevention measures as part of preparations for the coming season.
