The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said insufficient soil moisture, caused by the 2024 El Nino-induced drought and weak December rainfall, has delayed crop planting in Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the FAO also noted that while the total rainfall for November, which usually signals the start of the planting season, was near normal across most of the country, it was unevenly distributed over time. FAO said:
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Planting of the summer 2025 cereal crops is underway and is expected to conclude in January. Remote sensing analysis indicates that the total rainfall amount for November, which typically marks the start of the planting season, was near normal across most of the country, but unevenly distributed over time.
However, a severe drought earlier in the year, which sharply reduced the 2024 cereal harvest, has kept soil moisture levels still unusually low, particularly in the northeastern provinces, which are key agricultural production zones.
These dry soil conditions may hinder and delay planting operations, especially with rainfall amounts in early December below average and weather forecasts pointing to a high probability of below-average rainfall amounts and higher-than-average temperatures for the rest of the month.
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However, the FAO said rainfall patterns are likely to return to average beginning in 2025. This offers a glimmer of hope for farmers, who have been grappling with the challenges posed by the El Nino-induced drought and erratic rainfall. It said:
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From January onwards, weather forecasts suggest a likely return to average rainfall amounts. The government continues to support access to agricultural inputs for the 2024/25 cropping season, with an estimated 3.5 million households targeted to receive inputs through a subsidy programme.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Zimbabwe is facing delays in planting crops due to not enough soil moisture from a drought and weak December rainfall. The FAO says while November's rainfall was normal, it was not evenly spread out. The drought earlier in the year also affected soil moisture levels. This may make planting harder. But, the FAO predicts average rainfall in 2025. Farmers are getting support and hope for a better crop season. The government is assisting with agricultural inputs for millions of households. This news gives hope for a better farming season next year.

El Niño Drought And Weak December Rainfall Delays Crop Planting In Zimbabwe

The Chitungwiza Municipality has blamed the ongoing water crisis in the dormitory town on the El Niño-induced drought, which led to the early decommissioning of the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant—four months earlier than in 2023.
The Harare City Council provides Chitungwiza with water from this plant, which was shut down in August after the Harava and Seke supply dams ran dry.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200033598/crisis-as-chitungwiza-runs-dry">NewsDay</a> over the weekend, Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Tafadzwa Kachiko said the water crisis required urgent intervention. Said Kachiko:
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We are witnessing the effects of the El Nino-induced drought. During this period last year, we were receiving an average of 14 megalitres per day and we could manage rationing the water.
The Prince Edward plant was decommissioned on December 5 last year, and we had just a month of dry spell because the situation went back to normal in January this year.
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Kachiko said the council has reached out to the government for assistance and plans to convene a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the water crisis and develop short-term solutions.
Marvelous Khumalo, the spokesperson for the Chitungwiza Residents Association, urged the government to expedite the construction of the Kunzvi Dam, which is anticipated to alleviate the water challenges faced by both Harare and Chitungwiza. Said Khumalo:
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The City of Harare water is also failing to meet its increasing demand for water thereby affording to offer Chitungwiza less than 10 megalitres per day against a daily demand of about 70 megalitres.
We hope the central government will prioritise finalisation of the Kunzvi dam project and other strategic dams so as to increase the raw water supply to the Harare metropolitan province whose population continues to expand rapidly.
Reliance on underground water is but just a stop-gap measure which is not sustainable.
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Chitungwiza Business Community Trust chairman Tendai Mareya urged the council to scrap charges for borehole drilling and reduce fixed water rates.
Last week, Chitungwiza Mayor Rosaria Mangoma disclosed that the council has been receiving only one to three megalitres of water from Morton Jaffray on weekends—far below the required 75 megalitres per day.
She urged residents to source water from trusted alternatives to minimise health risks.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The water crisis in Chitungwiza is getting worse because of a drought caused by El Niño. The Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant shut down early due to lack of water, making the situation even worse. Chitungwiza is not getting enough water from Harare, so the municipality is asking for help from the government. Residents are being urged to find other sources of water and the council is looking for solutions to the crisis. The construction of the Kunzvi Dam could help solve the water problem for both Harare and Chitungwiza.

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