Online Reporter
Tanyaradzwa Kutaura in GWANDA
ALL seven districts in Matabeleland South have been directed to develop and implement district-specific preparedness plans as the province steps up measures to cushion farmers and communities against the anticipated effects of El Niño during the 2026/27 summer season.
Representing Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe, Deputy Director (Business Development) Tichawona Mudzviti said district plans should account for differences in rainfall, soils, water resources, farming systems, and livelihood activities across the province.
“I therefore call upon all seven districts of Matabeleland South to develop and implement practical district-specific preparedness actions,” he said.
“Our province must function as one agricultural system while recognising the uniqueness of each district and ward. We must share information, technologies, markets and lessons across the province.”
Mudzviti was speaking during the Matabeleland South 2026/27 Summer Plan and Drought Mitigation Strategy meeting in Gwanda on Tuesday.
The minister said the province could not afford to wait for drought conditions to worsen before taking action.
He said the anticipated El Niño conditions required a shift from uniform agricultural planning towards agro-ecological matching, with farmers encouraged to select crops, varieties and production systems suited to their local conditions.
“Where conditions favour small grains, we must promote and support small grains,” Minister Nguluvhe said.
“Where drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet are appropriate, farmers must have access to suitable seed, technical advice and markets.”
He also called for irrigation schemes to be maximised while strengthening water harvesting, moisture conservation and climate-smart farming practices.
The directive comes as the Government implements a six-pillar drought mitigation plan covering strategic grain reserves, climate-smart production, agricultural financing, livestock protection, grain imports, and coordination and early-warning systems.
Minister Nguluvhe said early-warning information should translate into concrete action at community level, with traditional leaders playing a key role in ensuring that messages reach farmers.
“A warning is only useful when people act on it,” he said, adding that early warning must be linked to financing, inputs, extension services and community preparedness.
Strategic Grain Reserve 200HA Plus Club chairperson Tichaona Mapfoche said farmers should also move quickly to prepare their land and conserve available moisture.
He said the club was promoting a hub-and-spoke mentorship model, where established farmers serve as lead farmers for clusters of 20 to 40 emerging farmers.
“Let us move from planning to execution. Prepare early and conserve water. We need to hit the ground running,” Mapfoche said.
Recent provincial reporting indicates farmers in Matabeleland South are already adopting irrigation, fodder production and water-harvesting measures in preparation for potentially dry conditions.
Zimbabwe’s 2026/27 rainfall outlook has raised concerns over below-normal and erratic rainfall associated with the anticipated El Niño conditions, prompting Government to intensify early preparedness measures.
