The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has delivered 187,704 tonnes of summer cereals and 60,529 tonnes of winter wheat to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), as Zimbabwe moves to reinforce its food reserves ahead of forecasts of below-normal rainfall.
ARDA is also planning to put 100,000 hectares under crops during the 2026/27 summer season as part of efforts to boost grain production and protect the country against possible food shortages.
The authority said 31,293.46 tonnes of the summer cereals delivered from the 2025/26 season had been allocated for milling and measures to stabilise prices.
Winter wheat harvesting is still in progress, having started about two weeks ago. Most of the wheat already harvested remains on farms for bagging and grading, while harvesting is yet to be completed in some fields.
Under its upcoming summer cropping programme, ARDA intends to work with its estates, A1 and A2 joint venture farmers, irrigation scheme business units and groups of smallholder farmers to meet its 100,000-hectare target.
Of this area, 60,000 hectares are earmarked for irrigation, while the remaining 40,000 hectares will be planted with climate-smart crop varieties. The initiative is expected to increase cereal output and strengthen the Strategic Grain Reserve amid concerns over the coming rainy season.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka has warned that Zimbabwe faces a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall, with the Meteorological Services Department identifying the season as a drought year.
Addressing graduates at Gwebi College of Agriculture during its 74th graduation ceremony, Dr Masuka said warming in the central South Pacific Ocean linked to El Niño was projected to exceed three degrees Celsius, raising concerns about the severity of the weather conditions.
“We are almost 100 percent certain that we will have below-normal rainfall for Zimbabwe,” he said.
Despite the forecast, Dr Masuka said the Government was taking steps to ensure the country had sufficient grain to meet national needs.
He disclosed that the GMB had bought 345,000 tonnes of various cereals by the previous day, compared with 328,000 tonnes distributed during the 2024 drought.
“As of yesterday, we had actually purchased at the GMB 345,000 metric tonnes of various cereals. In 2024, when we had the worst drought, we distributed 328,000 metric tonnes,” he said.
The minister said the country was making progress towards building adequate reserves to feed the population should the anticipated drought occur.
Government’s preparedness measures also include promoting climate-smart farming, protecting household grain supplies, supporting livestock during dry conditions and strengthening early-warning systems.
As part of the livestock support programme, drought mitigation centres are planned to serve clusters of seven to eight villages. The facilities are expected to provide reliable water supplies, livestock feed, animal sales points and disease-control services.
Dr Masuka also urged farmers to reduce post-harvest losses, noting that maize wastage can reach 30 percent after harvesting. He called on households and farmers to preserve available food supplies and adopt innovative approaches to managing the anticipated weather challenges.
“Let’s invoke the Munhumutapa spirit, that entrepreneurial spirit, that innovation, so that Zimbabwe can come out stronger from this drought,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri, has urged farmers not to make hasty decisions based solely on drought warnings.
Prof Jiri said the seasonal forecast should encourage early preparation rather than prompt farmers to abandon their fields or rush into planting without assessing conditions.
He encouraged farmers to conserve soil moisture, consider different crop options and make use of rainfall when it becomes available.
“Farmers need to be ready and make the most of every drop of rain,” Prof Jiri said.
He also advised farmers to follow local weather updates, check soil moisture levels and consult agricultural extension officers before deciding when to plant.
