Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has positioned itself ahead of the anticipated 2026/27 El Niño season after activating a comprehensive six-point agricultural preparedness plan, as the African union (AU) urged member states to strengthen climate resilience against a looming weather threat expected to affect food security, water resources and livelihoods across the continent.
The continental call to action follows a ministerial communiqué adopted at a virtual Consultative Meeting of the African union Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment held on Thursday last week, which warned of a high probability of El Niño conditions developing and persisting through 2026.
In the communiqué, African ministers committed to “strengthen Africa’s preparedness, anticipatory action, response and recovery capacities to mitigate the impacts of El Niño and other climate-related hazards, mobilise the necessary political commitment, technical capacity and financial resources” to safeguard lives, livelihoods and national economies.
The communiqué was informed by forecasts from the World Meteorological Organisation and the 21st African Continental Climate Outlook Forum, which indicate a high probability of El Niño conditions developing and persisting through 2026, with potentially significant impacts on agriculture, food security, water resources, energy systems, public health and infrastructure across Africa.
Zimbabwe, however, has already moved to operationalise a Cabinet-approved six-point agricultural preparedness framework that shifts the country’s approach from reactive drought relief to proactive climate resilience.
In an interview, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said Government had made significant progress in preparing for the anticipated climate phenomenon.
“Zimbabwe has made great strides in preparing for the El Niño season. The Ministry’s six-point drought plan emphasises early planning and climate-smart strategies to counter the dry season,” he said.
Prof Jiri said Zimbabwe’s preparedness framework focuses on strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve, scaling up climate-smart agriculture, expanding agricultural financing, protecting livestock, arranging strategic food imports and reinforcing early warning systems.
“The strategy was designed to safeguard agricultural production, protect livelihoods and sustain national food security despite possible adverse weather conditions. No panic,” he said.
Under the plan, Government is strengthening the Strategic Grain Reserve through enhanced grain procurement, deployment of modern silo management technologies and maintenance of adequate household and national grain stocks to cushion communities against possible shortages.
The ministry is also accelerating the adoption of climate-smart agriculture by promoting agro-ecological matching, encouraging the production of drought-tolerant traditional grains in drier regions and distributing early-maturing seed varieties ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season.
To ensure farmers are adequately supported, Government is expanding access to agricultural financing while facilitating the timely availability of affordable agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, before the onset of the rains.
The preparedness strategy also prioritises livestock protection through intensified nationwide animal vaccination programmes and strengthened tick control measures aimed at reducing drought-related disease outbreaks and protecting the national herd.
The Government has also put in place mechanisms to pre-arrange strategic imports of cereals and livestock feed to cushion against possible production deficits, while reinforcing climate monitoring, agricultural extension services and stakeholder coordination to ensure farmers receive timely weather information and technical advice.
The AU communiqué urged member states to translate climate forecasts into practical interventions, calling upon governments to “ensure that early warnings trigger predefined preparedness and early action measures through nationally approved standard operating procedures, contingency plans and financing arrangements, so that forecasts consistently lead to timely government action”.
It also called on African countries to strengthen investment in irrigation, climate-resilient agriculture, disaster preparedness and strategic food reserves while improving coordination among governments, humanitarian agencies and development partners.
“Zimbabwe’s six-point preparedness strategy aligns with those continental priorities, positioning the country among African nations proactively implementing anticipatory measures aimed at protecting agricultural production, strengthening food security and building resilience ahead of the anticipated 2026/27 El Niño season,” Prof Jiri said.
