Zimbabwe farmers turn to drought-resistant crops as El Niño threatens 2026/27 season

Farmers in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province are changing their farming strategies ahead of the 2026/27 summer cropping season.

The province is promoting drought-resistant crops as forecasts warn of a possible El Niño-induced drought.

The strategy combines Pfumvudza/Intwasa with agro-ecological farming to improve resilience against unpredictable rainfall.

Farmers are encouraged to select crops that match their regions’ rainfall patterns and soil conditions.

The provincial programme launch took place in Chirape, Gokwe North, where preparations are already underway.

Farmers are establishing plots and diversifying production through maize, traditional grains and cotton.

Meanwhile, Government aims to reach three million farmers across the country this season.

The national targets include 16 million Pfumvudza plots and one million hectares under cultivation.

However, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) figures show encouraging progress.

More than 3.7 million farmers have prepared over 9.4 million plots.

Midlands farmers embrace drought-resistant crops

Farmers attending the programme highlighted the benefits of conservation agriculture, particularly mulching and careful plot preparation.

One farmer expressed confidence in the approach, saying the training had strengthened their preparations.

“We are grateful for the lessons we are getting here. We are mulching and preparing these plots, and we are confident of beating this El Niño. We are doing maize, small grains, and cotton, all under Pfumvudza,” the farmer said.

Another farmer highlighted the importance of receiving agricultural inputs before the planting season.

“With Pfumvudza, there is a chance for us. We are prepared, and with inputs coming, we can get somewhere.”

ARDA Midlands Provincial Director Ms Busiso Olga Mavankeni outlined the province’s crop diversification strategy.

She said farmers in Natural Regions Three, Four and Five needed to prioritise drought-tolerant crops.

These include sorghum, millet and sunflower, which perform better under limited rainfall.

“The farmer has already made 14 plots. These include cotton and traditional grains. In Natural Regions Three, Four and Five, which cover most of the Midlands, we are promoting sorghum, millet and sunflower because they are better suited to these conditions. We are confident that, as a province, we can make a significant contribution towards mitigating the effects of El Niño and achieving our production targets. The presidential program is providing fertiliser, lime and pesticides, while farmers are encouraged to mechanise plot preparation and diversify production.”

Government strengthens preparations against El Niño

The Midlands initiative forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader six-pillar National Response Plan.

The strategy includes food reserves, livestock protection, agricultural financing, imports and early-warning systems.

Additionally, authorities are encouraging communities to conserve water and protect agricultural livelihoods.

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Dr Edgar Seenza highlighted traditional leaders’ involvement.

He said community leaders were spreading information about practical measures to strengthen drought preparedness.

“Traditional leaders have been conscientised and are cascading the same information to headmen, village heads and their communities. We must maximise whatever rainfall we receive, conserve water, protect livestock and safeguard food security. Pfumvudza/Intwasa is central to that effort. I am happy that farmers are preparing.”

Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Honourable Flora Buka also praised Government’s agricultural support programme.

She encouraged farmers to choose crops that can withstand the conditions in their respective communities.

“We want to thank the President for this programme; our people have already prepared, especially including livestock, so that they get enough water. Villages are being trained; they should value crops that suit our environment,” she said.

As preparations gather momentum, Midlands farmers are focusing on resilience and crop diversification.

The province hopes these measures will protect food production if the predicted drought materialises.

The post Zimbabwe farmers turn to drought-resistant crops as El Niño threatens 2026/27 season appeared first on iHarare News.