Zimbabwe Government Implements Drought Mitigation Strategies Amid El Niño Threat
The Zimbabwean government has initiated comprehensive drought mitigation strategies in response to an anticipated severe El Niño event, which poses a significant threat to the nation's livestock and food security. As part of these efforts, 914 Ward Drought Mitigation Centres have been established across the country's rural wards, out of a target of 1,527. These centers are designed to manage localized relief efforts. The government has also expanded irrigation infrastructure, with 308,969 hectares now under irrigation, and 119,068 hectares specifically designated for maize production this summer. Furthermore, the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation agriculture plots have reached 14,971,621, achieving 93.3% of the national target. To bolster food reserves, the Grain Marketing Board held 365,688 metric tonnes of grain in the Strategic Grain Reserve as of November 9, 2026, with a goal to reach 600,000 metric tonnes by October 2027, utilizing new artificial intelligence-powered silos. The government estimates that ...
