Zimbabwean farmers have been urged to begin preparing for the 2026/27 agricultural season now, with climate forecasts pointing to the possibility of a strong El Niño event and renewed pressure on the country’s food production systems. Agricultural economist and Agripreneurs Empowerment Network chairman Tawanda Cuthbert Runganga said farmers should not wait for drought conditions to emerge before taking measures to protect crops, livestock, water supplies and household incomes.
The warning comes after the World Meteorological Organization reported that El Niño had developed in the tropical Pacific and was expected to strengthen between August and October 2026. Zimbabwe’s Meteorological Services Department has also issued preliminary warnings about the possibility of an El Niño phase during the coming agricultural season.
Runganga stressed, however, that El Niño does not automatically mean that every part of Zimbabwe will experience drought in the same way. Seasonal forecasts indicate probabilities, while rainfall patterns can vary considerably between districts. For farmers, he said, the uncertainty makes early preparation even more important.
“Do not wait for the rain to fail before you start managing water,” Runganga said, arguing that water security should be treated as productive infrastructure rather than an emergency measure.
Farmers with access to irrigation have been encouraged to inspect and repair boreholes, pumps, pipes, tanks, reservoirs and irrigation systems before the season begins. Rainwater harvesting, soil moisture conservation, mulching and erosion control should also form part of preparations. The central consideration, according to Runganga, should be the amount of land a farmer can reliably support with available water rather than simply how much land is available for cultivation.
“How much land can my reliable water supply support?” should replace the traditional question of how much land a farmer can plant, he said.
This approach is particularly important where farmers are considering crops with high water requirements. Planting decisions, he argued, should take into account water availability, pumping capacity, crop requirements, energy costs and the possibility of prolonged dry spells.
Runganga’s recommendations are informed by his Master’s research into the resilience of rural food systems during Zimbabwe’s 2023/24 El Niño induced drought. The research examined how rural households responded to pressure on agricultural production and food availability, with particular attention to gender and household resilience. One of the findings highlighted the significant role played by women in sustaining household and agricultural resilience.
Within his study population, women accounted for approximately four times the participation of men in the resilience mechanisms observed. Runganga said the finding should force a rethink of how agricultural and climate adaptation programmes are designed. Women, he argued, should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of climate interventions but as farmers, producers, decision makers and partners in climate adaptation. Their involvement should extend to water management, irrigation, crop and seed selection, household food planning, access to finance, markets, farmer training and community resilience planning.
Young farmers should similarly be brought into climate adaptation initiatives as Zimbabwe seeks to build a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Crop selection will also be critical during the coming season. Farmers in suitable areas have been encouraged to consider early maturing and drought tolerant varieties, small grains, drought resilient legumes, crop diversification, staggered planting and crop livestock integration. The objective is not necessarily to abandon maize, one of Zimbabwe’s major staple crops, but to reduce the risks associated with depending heavily on a single crop during an uncertain season. Runganga also called for greater use of climate information in everyday farming decisions.
Farmers can combine national and seasonal forecasts with local knowledge and advice from agricultural extension officers to make decisions on planting dates, crop selection, livestock management and water use. He further proposed the creation of local Climate and Agriculture Knowledge Circles through which farmers could exchange information on rainfall, crop performance, pests, water availability, livestock conditions, markets and weather forecasts. Such networks could help ensure that successful adaptation practices are shared rather than remaining with individual farmers.The need for preparedness is likely to extend beyond crops.
Livestock farmers in the country’s drier provinces will need to pay particular attention to water supplies, grazing management and fodder reserves, while farmers in higher rainfall areas should not assume they are insulated from climate related risks. Runganga noted that climate variability can produce different risks within the same season, making soil conservation, drainage and water management important even outside traditionally drought prone areas. Ultimately, he said, Zimbabwe needs to move away from repeatedly responding to agricultural crises after they occur.
“Prepare before the crisis. Invest before the shortage. Diversify before the loss,” he said.
The 2026/27 season could therefore become an important test of Zimbabwe’s ability to translate climate warnings into practical action. For farmers, the immediate priorities are clear: secure water, protect soil, diversify production, maintain livestock resources, use available climate information and strengthen community knowledge.
For policymakers and agricultural institutions, the challenge is to ensure that farmers have timely access to climate information, extension support, finance, appropriate seed varieties and the infrastructure needed to act on those warnings. The success of the coming agricultural season will not depend solely on how much rain Zimbabwe receives. It will also depend on how effectively farmers, communities and institutions prepare for whatever rainfall the season ultimately delivers.
