Working towards climate-resilient agricultural systems in Zimbabwe

Multiple challenges, including climate change and COVID-19, are affecting agricultural systems and livelihoods in Zimbabwe. An unstable macro-economic environment will exacerbate poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among smallholder farmers. Zimbabwe is projected to face drier conditions, with the Southern and Western regions of the country being more affected (World Bank, 2021). Increasing temperatures will worsen the current dry conditions, e.g. causing soils to dry up quicker, limiting available soil moisture and affecting plant growth negatively. Seasonal rainfall is expected to decrease, with late onset of the season, season shortening and higher frequency of extremes such as prolonged dry spells, droughts, floods and intense rainstorms. A higher prevalence of diseases, due to variations in climatic conditions, has potential to adversely affect crops and livestock. There is also evidence that semi-arid conditions are expanding in the country. This will increase vulnerability to climate risk, resulting in food insecurity