Agriculture • Climate Newsroom

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

Climate Newsroom7 days ago7 days 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…

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 ramps up efforts to detect and manage plant pests amid rising threats from climate change

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago08 mins

Zimbabwe’s Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI) is intensifying its surveillance and response efforts against emerging plant pests and diseases, as climate change and global trade intensify risks to plant health. The institute, operating under Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Research Directorate, employs a network of 40 substations to monitor borders, airports, and farms. Key strategies include surveillance, diagnostics,…

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…

We’ve enough seeds for the 2025 /26 season: Gvt

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Government has assured farmers that it has enough seeds for the 2025 /26 farming season. This statement was made by Deputy Minister Davis Marapira of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development following his tour of the Valley Seeds processing plant in Murehwa. The Deputy Minister expressed satisfaction with the current level of preparedness for…

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

Climate Newsroom2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

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…

FAO Commits US$139,000 grant for National Food Safety Policy

Climate Newsroom3 months ago3 months ago010 mins

Every year, millions of people around the world get sick from foodborne illnesses, with many losing their lives to preventable diseases. Foodborne illnesses (also called food poisoning) happen when you eat or drink something contaminated with harmful germs, chemicals, or toxins. These can make you sick, causing stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The World Bank estimates…