Story by Tendai Munengwa
FARMERS across Zimbabwe are stepping up drought-mitigation measures in support of government efforts to safeguard food security amid forecasts of a possible super El Niño weather phenomenon during the 2026–2027 agricultural season.
The development follows Cabinet’s approval of the 2026–2027 Summer Cropping Plan, which prioritises preparedness and resilience measures to cushion communities and agricultural production against the anticipated effects of prolonged dry conditions.
With forecasts indicating an 80 percent likelihood of a super El Niño event, farmer organisations are urging producers to adopt climate-smart farming practices and align with national food security strategies.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe called on farmers to prioritise water conservation and make full use of available mitigation measures.
“We are saying to our farmers, water conservation is the first we should adopt in view and preparation for this super El Niño. Let us use irrigation methods which conserve water and support the government mitigation strategies of preserving food stocks, irrigation development, and climate-proof Pfumvudza,” he said.
Dr Makombe praised the government’s proactive approach to drought preparedness.
“We want to applaud government for being proactive in preparing for this drought, so we rally all farmers to work closely with government arms in the quest to mitigate against the anticipated El Niño,” he said.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing this week, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, said government had already activated contingency measures to reduce the impact of the expected weather phenomenon.
“We have these predictions of the super El Niño, so we have come with a contingent plan to ensure we boost our irrigation development and rehabilitation plan. We must utilise a lot of dams that we have and maximise production and productivity in those areas,” said Dr Masuka.
The 2026–2027 Summer Production Plan is designed to secure national food supplies against the backdrop of anticipated climatic challenges and growing global pressures on agricultural production, including rising fuel and fertiliser costs.
Government and farming organisations say coordinated action, expanded irrigation, water conservation and climate-resilient farming practices will be critical in sustaining agricultural output and protecting livelihoods should the forecasted super El Niño materialise.
