Faith Charumbira – Climate adaptation among small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe remains a pressing national priority, particularly in the provinces of Masvingo, Midlands, and Manicaland, where erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts and extreme weather events continue to threaten livelihoods.

The Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe (CACZ) has warned that despite ongoing interventions by government and development partners, small-scale farmers remain highly vulnerable to climate shocks, with limited access to sustainable adaptation tools and financing.

In a statement, the Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe said:
“Small-scale farmers are on the frontline of climate change impacts. While there have been commendable efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, the scale of support is still inadequate compared to the magnitude of the crisis.”

The coalition noted that farmers in Masvingo and parts of Midlands continue to experience frequent dry spells and poor rainfall distribution, affecting maize and small grain production. In Manicaland, flash floods and cyclones have increasingly disrupted farming cycles, damaging crops and infrastructure.

Concerns Raised by Small-Scale Farmers
Smallholder farmers across the three provinces have highlighted several pressing concerns:
Unpredictable rainfall seasons and shifting planting calendars
Limited access to irrigation infrastructure
High cost of drought-resistant seed varieties
Inadequate extension services and climate information
Poor access to credit and insurance facilities
Soil degradation and declining productivity
Many farmers say they are forced to rely on rain-fed agriculture, leaving them exposed to seasonal shocks. Others have expressed frustration over delayed weather forecasts and insufficient training in conservation agriculture techniques.
A smallholder farmer in Masvingo was quoted during a community dialogue meeting saying, “We no longer know when the rains will start or end. Sometimes we plant three times in one season because the rains stop unexpectedly.”

Previous Research and Gaps
In 2014, research carried out by Oxfam GB examined the vulnerability of Zimbabwean small-scale farmers to climate change and highlighted the urgent need for investment in climate-resilient farming systems. The study recommended improved access to water harvesting technologies, promotion of small grains, strengthened local climate information systems, and enhanced community-based adaptation programmes.

However, over a decade later, stakeholders say further research is necessary to assess the effectiveness of interventions implemented since then, particularly in the face of intensifying climate variability.

The Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe emphasized that “There is still a significant knowledge gap regarding how adaptation strategies are performing at community level. Updated research is essential to guide policy, financing and targeted interventions.”
Possible Solutions and Way Forward
Experts and civil society groups have proposed several solutions to strengthen climate adaptation among small-scale farmers:
Expansion of small-scale irrigation schemes
Investment in solar-powered boreholes and water harvesting systems
Scaling up climate-smart agriculture training
Wider distribution of drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet
Strengthening early warning systems
Establishing accessible agricultural insurance schemes

Increased climate financing directed to grassroots communities
The coalition stressed that climate adaptation must move beyond pilot projects and become embedded in national agricultural planning.
“Zimbabwe cannot achieve food security without prioritising smallholder farmers in climate policy frameworks. Adaptation must be adequately funded, locally driven and inclusive,” the statement read.

As climate pressures intensify across Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland, stakeholders agree that while progress has been made, much work remains to safeguard the livelihoods of Zimbabwe’s small-scale farmers and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity in the years ahead.

climateactionzim@gmail.com

Twitter: Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe