Harare, (New Ziana) – As Zimbabwe continues to experience scattered and isolated thunderstorms, the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development is intensifying efforts to operationalize its Six Strategic Pillars to safeguard food security and strengthen preparedness for the 2026/27 agricultural season.
Under the six-pillar intervention, national cereal production for the 2026/27 summer cropping season is projected at 1.6 million tonnes. The Government has already authorized private-sector and household imports to help bridge the anticipated deficit.
In a Facebook post, the Ministry urged farmers to make effective use of available rainfall by harvesting and conserving water, continuing land preparation, securing livestock, and protecting harvested grain. Farmers were also advised against rushing to plant before adequate and effective planting rains are established.
“The current weather outlook reinforces the importance of Pillar 2: Accelerated Climate-Smart Production and Pillar 6: Coordination, Early Warning Systems and Capacity Building Support: farmers should use available rainfall to harvest and conserve water, continue land preparation, secure livestock, and protect harvested grain, while avoiding the temptation to rush into planting before effective planting rains are established,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also called on farmers and other stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to build the country’s Strategic Grain Reserve. The Government set aside 150 000 tonnes from the previous summer season and is targeting a further 150 000 tonnes from the winter wheat crop as it works toward its long-term target of 600 000 tonnes.
“Let’s also continue strengthening our Strategic Grain Reserve, putting in place appropriate financing mechanisms, safeguarding livestock and crops against the impacts of drought and heavy rainfall, and ensuring adequate food supplies, because building resilience requires coordinated action across all Six Strategic Pillars,” the Ministry said.
Speaking at the recent Zimbabwe 2026/27 Agricultural Season – A Whole Value Chain Preparedness Summit in Harare, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said there was no need for panic over the projected El Niño-induced drought.
He said the Government was implementing its six-pillar response plan to mitigate the potential effects of the drought and safeguard national food security.
New Ziana
