ARDA Targets 100,000 Hectares in Major Push to Shield Zimbabwe From El Niño Drought

Staff Reporter

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is targeting 100,000 hectares under its 2026/27 summer cropping programme after delivering more than 248,000 tonnes of cereals to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), as the country intensifies efforts to build strategic grain reserves ahead of a potentially difficult agricultural season.

ARDA delivered 187,704 metric tonnes of summer cereals from the 2025/26 agricultural season and a further 60,529.3 tonnes of winter wheat to the GMB, bringing its combined deliveries to 248,233.3 tonnes.

Of the summer cereal deliveries, 31,293.46 tonnes were channelled towards immediate milling requirements and price stabilisation, helping to support grain availability on the domestic market.

Winter wheat harvesting is still underway, having commenced two weeks ago, with the authority indicating that most of the harvested crop remains on farms undergoing bagging and grading, while some fields are yet to be harvested.

The deliveries come as Zimbabwe prepares for an anticipated El Niño-induced drought, with authorities stepping up efforts to strengthen national food reserves and expand agricultural production to cushion the country against potential crop failures.

Under its 2026/27 summer production programme, ARDA is targeting 100,000 hectares across its estates, A1 and A2 joint venture growers, irrigation scheme business units and clustered smallholder farmers.

Of the targeted hectarage, 60,000 hectares will be placed under irrigation, while the remaining 40,000 hectares will be planted using climate-smart varieties as part of efforts to sustain production under increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

The programme is expected to contribute towards strengthening domestic cereal supplies and replenishing the Strategic Grain Reserve, which remains central to the country’s capacity to respond to drought-related food shortages.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka recently warned that Zimbabwe was almost certain to experience below-normal rainfall during the 2026/27 agricultural season, with the Meteorological Services Department classifying it as a drought year.

Speaking at the 74th graduation ceremony at Gwebi College of Agriculture, Dr Masuka said the warming of the central South Pacific Ocean associated with El Niño was expected to exceed three degrees Celsius, pointing to a particularly strong weather phenomenon.

“So now we are almost 100 percent certain that we will have below-normal rainfall for Zimbabwe,” he said.

Despite the unfavourable forecast, the minister assured the nation that Government was implementing measures to safeguard food security, revealing that the GMB had purchased 345,000 tonnes of various cereals by the previous day.

The figure exceeds the 328,000 tonnes of grain distributed during the devastating 2024 drought, when the country relied heavily on imports and emergency interventions to meet domestic food requirements.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Government’s broader drought preparedness programme includes strengthening national and household grain reserves, promoting climate-smart agriculture, implementing livestock drought mitigation programmes and improving early-warning systems.

Under the livestock intervention, authorities plan to establish drought mitigation centres serving every seven to eight villages. The facilities are expected to have permanent water sources, livestock feeding infrastructure, sales points and disease-control services to help farmers manage their herds during periods of prolonged dry weather.

Dr Masuka also called for improved post-harvest management, raising concern over maize losses that can reach 30 percent after harvesting.

He urged farmers and households to minimise food wastage and embrace innovation as the country prepares for the anticipated weather challenges.

“Let’s invoke the Munhumutapa spirit, that entrepreneurial spirit, that innovation, so that Zimbabwe can come out stronger from this drought,” he said.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri, has urged farmers against panic planting or abandoning their fields over fears of an El Niño-induced drought, emphasising that seasonal forecasts should inform preparedness rather than trigger premature agricultural decisions.

Prof Jiri said farmers should concentrate on conserving soil moisture, diversifying their crops and taking advantage of favourable rainfall whenever it occurs.

“Farmers need to be ready and make the most of every drop of rain,” he said.

He urged farmers to closely monitor local weather conditions, assess soil moisture levels and seek guidance from agricultural extension officers before making planting decisions.

The authorities’ message is that while the anticipated drought presents significant risks to agricultural production, preparations must focus on maximising available water resources, protecting livestock, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring that available grain stocks are sufficient to meet national requirements.