By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Zimbabwe is stockpiling grain ahead of a looming El Niño drought, with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) delivering more than 248,000 tonnes of cereals to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
The deliveries comprise 187,704 tonnes of summer cereals from the 2025/26 farming season and 60,529.3 tonnes of winter wheat, as the Government steps up efforts to protect national food supplies against forecasts of below-normal rainfall.
ARDA has also set its sights on cultivating 100,000 hectares during the 2026/27 summer cropping season to bolster the Strategic Grain Reserve and guard against potential food shortages.
Of the summer cereal deliveries, 31,293.46 tonnes were allocated to milling requirements and price stabilisation.
Winter wheat harvesting began two weeks ago and remains underway, with much of the crop still on farms awaiting bagging and grading.
The authority plans to cultivate 60,000 hectares under irrigation, while the remaining 40,000 hectares will use climate-smart varieties.
Its production programme will cover ARDA estates, A1 and A2 joint venture growers, irrigation scheme business units and clustered smallholder farmers
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development minister Anxious Masuka has warned that Zimbabwe is almost certain to receive below-normal rainfall during the coming season, with the Meteorological Services Department classifying it as a drought year.
Speaking at Gwebi College of Agriculture’s 74th graduation ceremony, Masuka said warming in the central South Pacific Ocean linked to El Niño was expected to exceed three degrees Celsius, signalling a potentially strong weather event.
“So now we are almost 100 percent certain that we will have below-normal rainfall for Zimbabwe,” he said.
Despite the grim forecast, the minister said the Government was putting measures in place to protect the country from food shortages.
Masuka revealed that the GMB had purchased 345,000 tonnes of various cereals by the previous day, surpassing the 328,000 tonnes distributed during the devastating 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.
“So we are well on our way to ensuring that should there be this unfortunate event, we will have enough of the strategic grain reserve to feed everyone,” he said.
Government’s wider drought response includes strengthening national and household grain reserves, promoting climate-smart farming, introducing livestock drought mitigation programmes and improving early-warning systems.
Plans are also underway to establish drought mitigation centres serving every seven to eight villages, with facilities for water supplies, livestock feeding, sales and disease control.
Masuka urged farmers and households to reduce post-harvest losses, warning that maize losses can reach 30 percent after harvesting.
“Let’s invoke the Munhumutapa spirit, that entrepreneurial spirit, that innovation, so that Zimbabwe can come out stronger from this drought,” he said.
Agriculture ministry permanent secretary Obert Jiri has also warned farmers against panic planting or abandoning their fields over fears of El Niño.
Jiri said the seasonal forecast should guide preparation rather than prompt premature decisions, urging farmers to conserve soil moisture, diversify crops and make the most of any favourable rainfall.
“Farmers need to be ready and make the most of every drop of rain,” he said.
He also encouraged farmers to monitor local weather conditions, assess soil moisture and seek advice from agricultural extension officers before planting.
