By Maxwell Mapungwana
Harare, Zimbabwe (New Ziana) — Veld fires pose an escalating threat to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, jeopardising food security and the livelihoods of countless farmers. Each fire season, communities across the nation face devastating losses that ripple through the economy, making urgent action essential.
On a calm Sunday morning in Marondera’s Ward 21, Joseph Muhoni, an A2 farmer, set off for church with his family, unaware that disaster awaited. As the sermon concluded, his phone buzzed with a call from a neighbour. Hesitant to answer due to their strained relationship, he felt compelled to respond. His 20-hectare wheat field, nearly ready for harvest, was engulfed in flames. By the time he arrived, the fire had reduced his entire crop to ash—sparked, he learnt, by boys burning dry grass to hunt wild animals and mice. The loss translated to thousands of United States of America dollars in revenue, compounded by the fact that his crop was uninsured.
Muhoni’s experience reflects a grim reality for farmers across Zimbabwe. From the fertile lands of Mashonaland to the eastern highlands of Manicaland, veld fires wreak havoc on agriculture, livelihoods, and wildlife, threatening the very fabric of rural life.
In 2024, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) reported an alarming surge in veld fires, with 982,964 hectares burnt—an increase of over 14 percent from the previous year. Mashonaland West alone accounted for nearly half of the area lost.
“These fires are no longer just an environmental hazard; they are a full-blown disaster,” said Ntandokamlimu Nondo, EMA’s acting director. “They cost the country over US$300,000 annually and impact almost every sector—agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and environment.”
Nondo pinpointed human activities, particularly in resettlement areas, as primary culprits, noting that 85 percent of fire incidents originate from these zones. He called for a coordinated national strategy, engaging government ministries, traditional leaders, and local communities.
Newly-appointed Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu launched the 2025 National Fire Week earlier this month, urging farmers to implement early fire suppression measures. With above-average rainfall this past agriculture season, increased biomass presents a significant fire risk if preventative actions are not taken.
“This is no longer a seasonal inconvenience. Veld fires destroy ecosystems, food security, and lives. We must work towards zero tolerance,” Ndlovu stated. She also emphasised the importance of curbing veld fires ahead of the 15th Conference of Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Wetlands, which Zimbabwe will host in Victoria Falls in July. “The world is watching. We must showcase a veld-fire-free Zimbabwe.”
Fire risk assessments for 2025 predict dire outcomes: 43 percent of the country faces a high risk of fires, with districts such as Marondera, Gweru, and Nyanga classified as extremely vulnerable.
Senator Sam Matema, chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, highlighted the disproportionate impact on marginalised groups. “Women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities suffer the most when these fires strike. We must fulfill our constitutional duty to advocate for the vulnerable and protect our environment,” he said, calling for targeted legislative efforts.
Traditional leaders like Chief Masendu of Matabeleland South are taking on the role of environmental stewards. “Our communities need to be at the forefront. Let’s return to our roots—educating each other through community meetings, workshops, and campaigns,” Chief Masendu urged.
Lewis Radzire, the Forestry Commission’s operations manager proposed an integrated fire management approach, encouraging farmers to form coalitions to pool resources and respond effectively to outbreaks. “We are finalizing a Statutory Instrument that decentralises fire management,” Radzire revealed, emphasising the need for local authorities to act swiftly.
As climate change exacerbates, fire risks through prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures, the urgency for decisive action has never been greater. Prevention—not reaction—must become the rallying cry.
For Joseph Muhoni and thousands like him, the stakes are painfully high. His scorched field symbolises vulnerability and the urgent need for reform. Zimbabwe must act now, before the next spark ignites another tragedy.
