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

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…

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

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,…

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

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…

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Zimbabwean national sentenced to 110 years for Rhino poaching, wildlife crimes

 A Zimbabwean national and wanted fugitive, Thomas Chauke, 54, was sentenced to 110 years in prison by the Makhanda High Court, for rhino poaching, wildlife-related crimes, and multiple escapes from custody, authorities said.   Chauke, also known as Sazu Nkambuya, was convicted on six counts linked to rhino poaching and illegal wildlife trade, along with three…

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Zimbabwe Authority tests Kariba Dam floodgates as overhaul nears completion

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) conducted critical commissioning tests on Kariba Dam’s sluice gates last week, marking the final stages of a four-year rehabilitation project, the agency announced. Engineers released water equivalent to three seconds’ worth of power generation turbine operation through the gates over a four-minute period, directing it into the dam’s reshaped plunge…

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Zambia arrests a notorious ivory kingpin and five accomplices, seizing 528 kg of elephant tusks in a major bust

Zambian authorities arrested six individuals, including a Congolese national described by officials as a key figure in transnational wildlife trafficking, during a sting operation in Lusaka, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) reported on Monday. The operation followed a tip-off from members of the public concerning the illegal activities of a Congolese national…

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Zimbabwe to launch solar panel, battery production under renewable energy push

Zimbabwe’s government plans to begin large-scale manufacturing of solar panels and lithium batteries through partnerships between local universities and international firms. The initiative aims to bolster research, training, and innovation in solar energy under a memorandum of understanding with the  International Solar Alliance (ISA) to establish a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at Chinhoyi…

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Zimparks extends fishing depth limits to address declining kapenta catches in lake Kariba

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has extended temporary fishing restrictions on Lake Kariba until May 31, 2025, maintaining a reduced minimum allowable fishing depth of 17 meters instead of the standard 20 meters, officials announced Thursday. The move follows assessments showing persistently low catches of kapenta, a critical freshwater fish, amid drought-driven…

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Valley Seed introduces climate-resilient wheat varieties for 2025 winter season

Agricultural firm Valley Seed has launched two new wheat varieties, dubbed Zambezi and Limpopo, designed to withstand climate extremes and boost yields for the 2025 winter season, The release coincides with the government’s confirmation that all agricultural inputs for the upcoming wheat season are available domestically. “We are happy to present the two new varieties…

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