Boy Emmanuel Nduka
Zimbabwe is on the brink of a food crisis, with over half of its population struggling to access sufficient food due to persistent drought and delayed rains. The crisis is expected to intensify during the lean season, as many regions have received below-average rainfall, and scorching temperatures have already destroyed a significant portion of crops.
Farmers in the country, already financially burdened, have been forced to replant fields after their initial crops failed, while others lack the resources to buy new seeds. The late onset of rain has left rural communities more vulnerable to food insecurity, compounding the already dire situation.
Despite predictions from the Meteorological Services Department that rainfall will return to normal or above-normal levels, the World Food Programme (WFP) warns that the short-term conditions remain drier than usual, requiring heightened monitoring.
A recent WFP report has revealed a dire lack of maize grain in local markets, with unrefined maize meal only available in 95% of rural and urban areas. Meanwhile, food prices are climbing both locally and internationally, placing additional strain on household budgets.
According to the WFP, global food prices have risen by 0.5%, marking the largest month-on-month increase since April 2024. This surge, coupled with local food shortages, has worsened the strain on Zimbabwe’s food security.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) forecasts that food insecurity will escalate to crisis levels (Phase 3) between October 2024 and March 2025. As the peak of the lean season approaches, the need for food assistance will continue to rise.
The country’s 2023/2024 agricultural season was hit hard by an El Niño-induced drought, leading to significant crop losses and an estimated import need of 1.3 million tonnes of grain—nearly double the five-year average, according to the FAO. The drought has also hindered planting in key agricultural zones, particularly in the north-eastern provinces, where low soil moisture has delayed crop development.
Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka has called this drought the worst since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. In response, the government is providing food aid to 12.74 million people—roughly 83.4% of the population—while working to bolster irrigation systems and secure food imports to replenish dwindling stocks.
Although forecasts of increased rainfall bring a glimmer of hope, the immediate food security crisis calls for urgent action and long-term solutions to strengthen resilience against climate-related disasters. The coming months remain critical as millions of Zimbabweans await aid or the relief that a good harvest could bring.
