Government Approves 2026–2027 Agriculture Production Plan Amid Drought Fears

HARARE – The Government has approved the 2026–2027 Summer Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Livestock Production Plan as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national food security in the face of increasing climate-related risks and rising agricultural production costs.

The plan was adopted by the Cabinet following a presentation by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition. Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said the programme is designed to ensure a stable food supply despite mounting pressures confronting the agricultural sector.

According to the government, one of the major concerns influencing the strategy is the growing likelihood of a severe drought linked to a possible Super El Niño weather phenomenon. Soda said climate experts estimate an 80 percent probability of drought conditions associated with a Super El Niño event, posing a significant threat to agricultural production during the upcoming farming season.

“The 2026-2027 Summer Production Plan seeks to guarantee national food security against the backdrop of unprecedented compound pressures, including the 80 per cent probability of a Super El Niño-induced drought and heightened fuel and fertiliser prices,” said Soda.

The minister noted that climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of weather-related shocks, making proactive planning essential.

A central pillar of the approved plan is the enhancement of Zimbabwe's Strategic Grain Reserve through improved grain procurement, storage, and distribution systems. The government says strengthening grain reserves will help safeguard food supplies during periods of drought and other agricultural disruptions. In a move aimed at modernising grain management, authorities also plan to introduce artificial intelligence-powered silo management systems. The technology is expected to improve stock monitoring, grain handling efficiency, and overall reserve management, reducing losses and improving accountability.

The Cabinet also approved measures to accelerate climate-smart agriculture initiatives across the country. These include:

• Expansion of irrigation infrastructure;

• Improved agro-ecological planning;

• Better targeting of beneficiaries under the Presidential Inputs Programme;

• Enhanced farmer training and extension services; and

• Strengthened drought preparedness mechanisms.

The government believes these interventions will improve resilience among farmers and reduce vulnerability to climate-related disruptions.

Authorities also intend to strengthen agricultural early warning and advisory systems to provide farmers with timely information on weather patterns, planting conditions, and potential risks. The move is expected to improve decision-making at the farm level and enable communities to better prepare for droughts and other natural hazards. Farmer education programmes and agricultural extension services will also be expanded to improve productivity and encourage the adoption of modern farming techniques.

To address concerns over fertiliser availability and rising input costs, the Cabinet approved measures to facilitate the duty-free importation of fertiliser ahead of the planting season. The government also plans to fast-track the completion of the Sable Chemicals ammonium plant project, which is expected to increase domestic fertiliser production and reduce dependence on imports. Officials say improved fertiliser availability will be critical to maintaining crop yields amid challenging climatic conditions.

As part of its risk management strategy, Zimbabwe will activate the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) sovereign insurance facility, which provides financial protection to member states affected by climate-related disasters. The facility is designed to provide rapid funding support in the event of severe droughts, helping governments respond more effectively to food security emergencies.

The 2026–2027 Production Plan reflects the government's growing focus on building resilience within the agricultural sector as climate uncertainty increases. Agriculture remains a key pillar of Zimbabwe's economy, supporting millions of livelihoods while contributing significantly to food production, employment, and export earnings.

Officials say the combination of strengthened grain reserves, climate-smart farming, improved fertiliser availability, modern technology, and drought insurance will help position the country to better withstand future agricultural shocks. With forecasts pointing to heightened climate risks, the government hopes the measures will safeguard food supplies, protect vulnerable communities, and sustain agricultural productivity throughout the 2026–2027 farming season.

2026–2027 Agriculture Production Plan