Agriculture • Climate Newsroom

Zimbabwe farmers turn to climate-smart agriculture amid drought, market pressures

Climate Newsroom1 week ago1 week ago06 mins

Prolonged drought, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures are threatening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in southern Zimbabwe, prompting a government-led effort to build climate resilience and improve market access. Zimbabwe has introduced a multi-year initiative designed to transition farmers from subsistence agriculture to more sustainable, market-oriented farming systems. The program is supported by the Green…

Zimbabwe urges use of short-season wheat as planting deadline extended

Climate Newsroom2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

The Government has extended the wheat planting season, and is urging farmers to switch to short-season varieties to mitigate yield losses from delayed planting. The initial wheat planting window, which closed on May 31, was disrupted for many farmers due to adverse weather conditions and delays in maize harvesting. In response, the government has extended…

Utariri programme lauded for strengthening community resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods in Zambezi Valley

Climate Newsroom1 month ago1 month ago014 mins

Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, has hailed the Utariri initiative as a model for grassroots development, highlighting the importance of local leadership and partnerships in advancing sustainable livelihoods across the Zambezi Valley. Delivering the keynote address at the Utariri Day commemorations, held to showcase the transformative work of the Swedish-funded Utariri-Integrated Climate…

Zimbabwe projects fourth-highest maize harvest on record

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Zimbabwe anticipates producing 2.2 million tonnes of maize in the 2024/25 season, its fourth-highest harvest on record, driven by expanded planting and improved yields, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said on Tuesday. The forecast, announced during a post-Cabinet media briefing, follows a government crop assessment showing maize output is expected to rise despite erratic weather conditions….

Govt pushes for traditional grains research for food security

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

THE government and its development partners have called for enhanced attention towards strengthening research and improvement on traditional grains which are a critical source of food. The devastating effects of the El-Nino-induced drought to livestock and crops in the last summer cropping season have jolted government and its development partners to accelerate crop research and…

Zimbabwe’s women-led agroecology initiative tackles climate change and food insecurity

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago115 mins

With climate change accelerating food crises across southern Africa, Zimbabwe’s Food Justice Network (FJN) is betting on women and agroecology to reverse the trend. Through its Feminist Agroecology Model Schools (FAMS), the organization has so far trained 25 women to farm sustainably, strengthening climate adaptation strategies while promoting gender equity in rural economies. Agroecology can…

Zimbabwe prepares for record winter wheat season with 120,000 hectares targeted

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago010 mins

The past week, temperatures have dropped, and many regions of the country are still experiencing episodes of rain, described by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) as a seasonal transition period marked by shifting weather patterns as the season moves from summer to winter. While this has posed challenges for wardrobe choices, the effects of changing…

Govt hails ‘timely’ rains as lifeline for late crops, groundwater recharge

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Government says this week’s rains have come as a relief for farmers, providing much-needed moisture for late-planted crops, recharging groundwater supplies, and boosting crop yields across the country. Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri has hailed the ongoing rainfall as “timely” for farmers who had delayed planting due to…

Met Dept alerts of seasonal transition to winter, localized rain expected to be brief, no threat to crop yields

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has advised that the country is undergoing a seasonal transition period, marked by shifting weather patterns as it moves from summer to winter. In an interview with Climate Newsroom, Met Department head of forecasting Mr James Ngoma said this phase, characterized by cold nights, warmer daytime temperatures, and sporadic rainfall,…

Zimbabwe nears completion of comprehensive Third Edition agricultural book addressing climate, conflict challenges

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago010 mins

Zimbabwe is finalizing a landmark agriculture book that examines the profound shifts in its agricultural sector driven by climate change, global conflicts, and pandemic disruptions, with a draft manuscript now at final revisions. Titled: Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Revolution (Third Edition): From Redistributive Land Reforms to Agrarian Transformation, the 42-chapter manuscript underwent review at a workshop in…