Agriculture

Staff Writer Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says authorities are adopting an anticipatory approach to prepare for an anticipated El Niño, including mobilising funding and exploring insurance mechanisms as the government seeks to cushion the economy against climate-related shocks. El Niño is a recurring climate phenomenon driven by warming sea surface temperatures in the central and…

Staff Writer Authorities say more than 2.2 million cattle in Zimbabwe are projected to be at risk from drought in 2027, prompting the government to expand livestock mitigation measures as the country prepares for a predicted El Niño. The government estimates that 2,236,203 cattle could be affected, according to the Acting Minister of Information Paul…

Staff Writer Zimbabwe is targeting 16 million Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation farming plots in the 2026/27 agricultural season as the country prepares for a predicted super El Niño that could threaten crop production. According to Cabinet, 7,6 million plots had been established, representing 47.52% of the target and covering 475,203 hectares. The programme’s expansion is part of…

Staff Writer Zimbabwe is stepping up preparations for the 2026/27 agricultural season, with the government warning that a predicted El Niño and rising fuel and fertiliser costs could threaten agricultural production, food security and rural livelihoods. Cabinet approved an updated 2026/27 Summer Plan incorporating the Drought Plan on Tuesday, as authorities seek to strengthen the…

Bongi Khumalo Zimbabwe has secured a US$5.4 million grant from China to fund nine irrigation schemes spanning nearly 1,600 hectares across six provinces, advancing efforts to safeguard domestic food production against worsening climate risks. The agreement, signed Tuesday, aligns with Strategic Pillar 3 of the government’s Six-Pillar Drought Response Plan. Under this framework, Treasury and…

Bongi Khumalo Authorities have warned farmers against planting too early after recent isolated rainfall, cautioning that early sowing risks severe crop failure as below-normal rainfall forecasts loom over the 2026/27 farming season. The warning was issued during a meeting of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) Agriculture, Food, Climate, and Environment Thematic Working Group where…

Zimbabwe is establishing a single coordination platform and investment pipeline to translate climate early warnings into funded action on the ground ahead of the 2026/27 farming season. This comes as forecasts warn of an 88–94% likelihood of El Niño during the 2026/27 rainy season, alongside a 65% probability of below-normal rainfall. In response, the government,…