The cotton yield in Zimbabwe for the 2023/24 season is anticipated to be the worst in years, primarily due to the devastating impact of the El Niño-induced drought.
In the previous season, the country managed to produce approximately 90,000 tonnes of cotton. This production was mainly carried out by small-scale farmers who participated in the Government’s free input scheme.
While farmer organizations have not yet finalized their production estimates, they anticipate a significantly reduced harvest for the current year.
Cotton farmers in the cotton belt, specifically in Sanyati (Mashonaland West Province) and Gokwe North and South Districts (Midlands Province), have expressed their concern, expecting a record low cotton yield.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/cotton-industry-faces-worst-season-in-years/">The Herald</a>, Tavaziva Munherendi, the leader of farmers in the Gambiza-Machipisa area of Sanyati said:
<blockquote>
This drought is a devastating blow. My expected yield is barely a quarter of what I harvested last year. Some farmers may not even harvest anything at all.
</blockquote>
Elisha Dube, a farmer from the same area, depicted a sombre scene, projecting a meagre yield of only three bales this season—a staggering decline compared to the 27 he reaped last year.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union’s national cotton chairman, Ishmael Pande, also a farmer in Sanyati, pointed out that most of the region last received rains in early January. He said:
<blockquote>
We put in a lot of effort to establish the crop, hoping for a good harvest to benefit the economy and create jobs along the cotton value chain.
Unfortunately, the prolonged dry spell severely impacted the crop. This is a double blow since cotton is a crucial cash crop that thrives in regions like Sanyati.
</blockquote>
Stanford Kambanje, who farms in the Chinyenyetu area of Gokwe North, said the area last received rainfall on 19 January and it has been dry ever since.
Last year, Kambanje earned the prestigious Grower of the Year award after a successful harvest of 57 bales. This year, however, the drought has taken a heavy toll, and he will struggle to even reach four bales.
Gokwe is the country’s largest cotton-producing region, accounting for about 30 per cent of the national output.
Tendai Vherewa from Zhomba, popularly known as Chitekete said she does not expect any yield from the two hectares she planted.
Herdman Siyabuwa Kafunde Simchembo area in Zhomba declared he has never witnessed a drought this severe in his entire lifetime.
Cotton is a major export crop for Zimbabwe. A reduced yield means fewer cotton exports, leading to a decline in export revenue for the country. This can strain foreign exchange reserves and affect the balance of trade.
Moreover, small-scale cotton farmers heavily rely on cotton production for their livelihoods. A poor yield translates to lower income for these farmers. Reduced income can impact their ability to meet basic needs, invest in their farms, and support their families.
Also, companies that supply seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to cotton farmers may experience reduced demand. This can affect their revenue and profitability.
The low yields may discourage investment in cotton farming. Investors may shift resources to other crops or sectors, affecting long-term agricultural development.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Zimbabwean Farmers Anticipate Record-Low Cotton Yields

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development has reported that this year’s maize harvest will be 70% smaller than the previous season due to severe drought damage.
As per the Ministry’s outlook report, Zimbabwe’s maize production is projected to reach approximately 696,116 tonnes, a significant decline from the estimated 2.3 million tonnes for 2023.
 <a href="https://newzwire.live/report-zimbabwe-expects-maize-harvest-to-fall-70-to-lowest-levels-in-nearly-a-decade/">newZWire</a> highlights that this year’s harvest would be the smallest since 2016 when Zimbabwe managed to produce only 512,000 tonnes of maize.
An earlier report by the government last week said maize hectarage fell by 12% this season as farmers planted less. Said the Lands Ministry:
<blockquote>
The Government should aim to close the gap of 318,723 tonnes while the private sector can import as much as they want.
Combining maize, traditional grains and wheat, the strategic grain reserve is 434,293 tonnes excluding the Russia donation to the President of 25,000 tonnes.
</blockquote>
In 2023, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East produced the most maize. This year, farmers in these two traditionally strong farm provinces were hit by low rainfall. The assessment says the Midlands will have the biggest harvest.
Mash West is projected to produce 290,005 tonnes, down from 523,023 last year. Mash East’s harvest is expected at 225,675 tonnes, from 415,574 tonnes last year.
Midlands will produce 381,056 tonnes, compared to 414,249 tonnes in 2023. The projection for Mashonaland Central is 207,966 tonnes from 342,249 tonnes.
Among the hardest hit provinces is Mat North, where the area planted under maize fell by 30%; the province will produce 95,726 tonnes this year after it performed better than expected last year with 82,739 tonnes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe’s Maize Harvest To Plummet 70% In Nearly A Decade

The Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, stated that the Government will not hastily declare the El Nino-induced drought a state of disaster.
According to him, the country remains food self-sufficient. During a Senate session on March 14, he outlined mitigation measures, including expanding winter wheat cultivation, utilizing water bodies, drilling boreholes, and providing food relief to vulnerable individuals.
Midlands Senator, Daniel MacKenzie Ncube (ZANU PF), inquired about the Government’s measures to safeguard citizens from potential exploitation during this challenging situation. In response, Ziyambi said (<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mnangagwa-under-pressure-to-declare-drought-after-national-yield-decimated/">via the Chronicle)</a>:
<blockquote>
As a country, there is no need to panic or to be worried and declare a state of disaster because we have several measures to mitigate the effects.
I am pleased to inform the House that we have several facilities that will help farmers with centre pivots to increase wheat hectarage. Areas where the centre pivot will be placed have already been identified.
We cannot be beggars when we have several water bodies. There is no need to panic, we will be using multifaceted ways to respond to the situation.
As of now, we are still food self-sufficient. We had a good harvest last season, we are providing food aid to those pockets that are insecure.
</blockquote>
Ziyambi said the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) was holding more than 245 000 tonnes of maize from bumper harvests recorded in past years, meaning some households still had grain stocks. He said:
<blockquote>
We are now assessing the projected harvests. What Cabinet has done is to say we have several water bodies, the immediate solution is to put a bigger area under wheat to substitute maize or barter trade.
So at the moment, we are not panicking because we know the measures we have put in place will help and will ensure that even those with an appetite to fleece people, it will not help, we are also drilling boreholes.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development permanent secretary, Obert Jiri, said dry land maize including what was planted under the Pfumvunza scheme and traditional grains are now a complete write-off owing to drought.
Jiri, addressing the Senate thematic committee on peace and security, reported that Zimbabwe anticipates a harvest of 700,000 to 800,000 metric tonnes from all cereals planted during the 2023/24 summer cropping season due to drought. This falls short of the annual national requirement of 1.2 million metric tonnes.
He said The country’s primary reliance is on irrigated crops, which constitute a modest 3 per cent of the total planted crop. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
The irritated crop is fair to good; we can get five tonnes per hectare. Pfumvunza crop was fairly good but now it’s not anymore. For traditional grains, we are getting a report of a write-off in some areas.
The dry land crop is now a write-off. This is what we are assessing and last time, 60 per cent was stressed. Now we don’t have any.
The only crop that we are basing our hope on is the irrigated crop. We may salvage a few tonnage from traditional grains, a few from Pfumvunza. But we are in a drought situation.
</blockquote>
Jiri told lawmakers that the country expects not more than 800,000 metric tonnes from irrigation schemes and individual farmers who irrigated their grain crops and traditional grains.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Remains Food Self-Sufficient Despite Drought - Ziyambi

The opposition ZAPU party has urged the government to declare the 2023/2024 farming season a national disaster due to the severe drought prevailing across the whole country.
ZAPU National Organiser, Ndodana Moyo, told <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zapu-declare-farming-season-a-national-disaster/">CITE</a> that thousands of farmers have already lost their crops and livestock, adding that declaring the drought a national disaster will ensure that people receive aid on time. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
I have been travelling to many rural areas and see that many families if not thousands, have lost their crops to the heat and lack of rain, not to mention the effect of drought on livestock as well. This means more people will face starvation.
I, therefore, implore the Government to declare this farming season a national disaster so that people receive the necessary interventions and aid on time.
If there is no or little rain, it’s obvious people will lose their crops, vegetables, and livestock.
This is why, as ZAPU, we are saying the farming season should be declared a national disaster because it’s affected by drought.
</blockquote>
ZAPU’s call comes after the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, declared the ongoing drought in that country a national disaster and emergency.
Hichilema said Zambia had gone without rain for five weeks at a time when farmers needed it the most.
Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, some areas last received effective rainfall in the second week of January.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Declare Farming Season A National Disaster - ZAPU

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says tobacco output is predicted to fall to 265 million kilogrammes this season, from 294 million kilogrammes recorded the previous season.
Speaking to the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200024083/drought-hits-tobacco-output">Zimbabwe Independent</a>, TIMB public affairs officer Chelesani Tsarwe, also said the number of tobacco growers had dropped as a result of the prevailing drought. She said:
<blockquote>
From the crop assessment exercise undertaken, which is a national tobacco forecasting exercise which helps us determine the national yield and production, the board anticipates a yield of 265 million kilogrammes.
(This) is a consequence of the El Niño conditions witnessed in southern Africa starting late last year.
</blockquote>
Tsarwe said farmers will receive 75% of their payments in US dollars this season, with the remainder payable in Zimbabwe dollars. She said:
<blockquote>
When it comes to payment of growers, the board is guided by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
For this season, RBZ advised that the foreign currency retention for tobacco growers for the 2023/24 tobacco marketing season was standardised at 75% in line with the retention level for other market players.
Given that the 25% to be paid to tobacco growers in local currency is applied to the net sales proceeds after the settlement of all the loans, levies and other marketing costs, the net effect of this arrangement is that the tobacco grower shall effectively have a foreign currency retention which is higher than 75%.
</blockquote>
Tobacco is one of Zimbabwe’s biggest foreign currency earners. This year’s marketing season will commence on Wednesday next week.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Drought: Tobacco Output Anticipated To Fall

The bulk of the 2023/2024 maize crop is a complete write-off following below-average rainfall for much of the rainy season, agriculture sector officials have revealed.
Prince Kuipa, field operations director at the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200023786/maize-crop-a-total-write-off">Zimbabwe Independent</a> that the bulk of the crop across the country is moisture-stressed. Said Kuipa:
<blockquote>
Information coming from our farmers shows that most of the grain has been affected and farmers are considering the maize crop as a write-off.
It is a disaster year. The crop is moisture-stressed. Maybe the government is going to announce a disaster situation so they can mobilise grain and arrange donor funding.
Without anything coming from farms, the government should kick in by importing grain. The private sector can also play its role to make sure that no one dies of hunger.
</blockquote>
The chief executive officer at the State-run Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA) said its crops have also been affected by the drought. He said:
<blockquote>
The 2023/2024 agricultural season has been characterised by below-average rainfall brought about by El Nino.
This has not spared cropping programmes managed by ARDA.
However, we have put in place mitigatory measures to counter the effects and salvage our crop.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that large swathes of maize crops had wilted and most of the affected crop would not recover even if rains returned as it had reached the permanent wilting point.
In Mashonaland West Province, some farmers had by last week freed livestock to feed on the wilting maize crop, according to some reports.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Maize Crop A Total Write-off - Farmers

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said that the 2023/24 rain season is not yet over with scattered showers expected this month.
MSD head meteorologist, James Ngoma, told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023740/rains-coming-but">NewsDay</a> that the expected rains will be unevenly distributed. He said:
<blockquote>
Currently, we are seeing light and isolated showers in most parts of the country.
The rainy season is not yet over as we will get a few more rains in March. The rains have been going round the borders of the country.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) secretary-general, Paul Zakariya, told NewsDay that the anticipated rains will do little to save wilting crops. He said:
<blockquote>
We will not get as much in terms of yields as expected because the situation has already been compromised.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Shadreck Makombe, said most crops have reached the permanent wilting stage. He said:
<blockquote>
Most crops are already wilted and dry. We are not expecting crop resuscitation if the rains come.
We are in a drought situation and most farmers made a loss and this has negatively impacted the yields.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Ngoma said the uneven distribution of rainfall has negatively affected farmers who depend on rainfall while those with irrigation systems expect a bumper harvest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

2023/24 Rainy Season Not Over Yet - Met Department

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) president Abdul Nyathi, has urged the government to revise its 2024 national budget to ensure that more funds are redirected toward buying food.
The call comes amid the prevailing El Nino-induced drought which has resulted in the wilting of crops. This is expected to significantly affect crop yields across the country.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://english.news.cn/africa/20240227/0c7403b1458b425da2b193fb6148db42/c.html">Xinhua</a>, Nyathi said global food prices will likely increase if there is a high demand for grain from southern African nations which are reeling under the drought. He said:
<blockquote>
The government should now revisit the budget and redirect it to food procurement and scout where we can get the food.
That should be done as soon as possible because prices will increase internationally as soon as the sellers have concluded that we don’t have anything to eat.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe received relatively good rains at the beginning of January following a dry spell late in 2023.
Farmers whose crops had died due to moisture stress during the prolonged dry spell replanted their fields.
However, the farmers lost out again after the rains stopped toward the end of January, resulting in the second batch of crops wilting again.
Nyathi said although the quality of livestock was still generally good, there was a danger the situation would deteriorate if the drought persisted. He said:
<blockquote>
The state of livestock is still good, but if rains don’t come by April or May, the situation will deteriorate.
We are thinking about destocking, and we are also thinking about supplementary feeding, which also comes from government coffers.
</blockquote>
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, about 2.7 million Zimbabweans will need food during the lean season between October 2023 and March 2024.
But as drought ravages the country, many more will need food assistance as the year progresses.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union Calls For Urgent National Budget Revision

The Government has advised farmers to stop planting saying the 2023/24 summer cropping season will be “short and sharp”.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/expect-a-short-sharp-season-as-el-nino-subsides/">The Sunday News</a>, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri, however, said that the El Niño weather phenomenon is not as severe as had been anticipated. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
We have witnessed that there has been an increase in rainfall from December 24, with the country experiencing normal and above-normal rainfall. If there was a severe El Niño, we would not be experiencing this.
This year’s El Niño phenomenon is based on a model that is not as severe as we had anticipated.
So, yes, there is El Niño, but it is not as severe. It seems it is weakening, but that does not mean we are out of the woods yet.
We expect that we are going to continue receiving rains, but they might end abruptly at the end of February into early March. We will have a short, sharp season.
Those who had prepared should also consider short-season varieties since we have a short season.
</blockquote>
Meteorological Services Department (MSD) head of forecast James Ngoma recently told The Sunday News that the second half of the season has a high probability of rains and cooler days. He said:
<blockquote>
Humidity over Zimbabwe tends to increase in December, January and March. Fortunately for Zimbabwe, this is coupled with cloudy and wet conditions.
These rains tend to cool the daytime conditions over the areas they fall on. Thus, the next few months have a high probability of rain and cooler days.
A few dry spells may also result in high daytime temperatures on odd days, but heatwaves are highly unlikely.
So, rainfall is still expected at different intervals in different areas during this period.
It should be noted, however, that the rains may be erratic, especially over natural regions 4 and 5 since we are in an El Niño season.
It is advisable to note that the public should rely more on three-day and ten-day forecasts issued by the MSD.
</blockquote>
Climate expert and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Walter Svinurai explained that El Niño is not climate change. He said:
<blockquote>
El Niño itself is not climate change as people are describing it. It is a natural phenomenon, but its impacts and occurrences are now worsened by climate change.
Although it is still early to consider this a good season, it is still a sparing drought year and a not full-blown drought per se.
The relationship between El Niño and rainfall over Zimbabwe is misunderstood by many and most people are of the view that El Niño implies drought.
</blockquote>
Climate researcher Shingirai Nangombe said that El Nino is not always associated with a drought. Said Nangombe:
<blockquote>
A closer analysis of the past 21 El Niño years of Zimbabwe rainfall was undertaken; it is quite interesting to note that out of the 21 El Niño years which occurred in the past 60 years, eight (38 per cent) had above-normal rainfall, while 13 (62 per cent) had below-normal rainfall.
These statistics clearly show that the eight episodes where above-normal rainfall was received during an El Niño episode explain that the El Niño episode and below-normal rainfall is not a one-on-one relationship.
Lastly, it is important to note that the worst meteorological drought was experienced during the 1991-92 summer rainfall season, which was not even an El Niño episode.
</blockquote>
The weakening of El Nino, as has been reported, is expected to bring relief to farmers because the weather phenomenon had threatened to cause a severe drought this season.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Expect A Short, Sharp Season - Govt Tells Farmers

The Government has advised farmers that the 2023/24 rainy season has started and is likely to be short, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/rainy-season-starts-likely-to-be-short/">The Herald</a>.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, 12 December, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said most parts of the country are expected to receive rains this week. He said:
<blockquote>
Government highlights that rainfall is expected throughout the country during the week.
Farmers are therefore advised that the rainfall season has started and is likely to be short.
</blockquote>
Muswere said that around 2 877 000 hectares were targeted for planting summer crops this season.
Maize was projected to take 1 782 000 hectares, sorghum 350 000 hectares, pearl millet 200 000 hectares, soya beans 60 000 hectares, sunflower 160 000 hectares, sugar beans 55 000 hectares and cotton 270 000 hectares. Said Muswere:
<blockquote>
Of the total hectarage, 867 500 hectares will be financed by the Climate Proofed Presidential Inputs Supply Scheme (Pfumvudza/lntwasa), and the rest by CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks and by the private sector and individual farmers.
As of 10 December 2023 and due to the late commencement of the rainfall season, about 95 156 hectares had been planted, compared to 465 707 hectares at the same time last year.
The country has sufficient seed in stock to meet demand, with 40,8 per cent of the available maize seed being of the early to ultra-early maturity varieties.
Significant progress has been recorded in farmer training and the preparation of Pfumvudza/lntwasa plots.
Farmers have generally favoured climate-proofing interventions during this El Nino year, with 87 per cent of the targeted 11,85 million plots having been prepared.
In terms of livestock, Government has instituted immediate remedial measures including borehole drilling, hay bailing and enhanced disease management, to alleviate the poor livestock condition in the drier provinces.
The worst affected provinces are Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Masvingo.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe experienced a prolonged drought from late October to early December which greatly affected farming as the majority of farmers rely on rain.
The 2023/24 season has been impacted by the El Nino phenomenon, which according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), may last at least until April 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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