By Vongai Masuka
President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged government support as the 2026/2027 farming season is likely to bring below-normal rainfall across the SADC region.
The government has moved to shield the country with a Six Pillar Plan for resilience.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address at the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament yesterday, the President said the regional outlook was regrettably one of unfavourable weather patterns.
He said the plan includes an enhanced strategic grain reserve, accelerated climate-smart production, an integrated financing architecture, livestock drought mitigation, and co-ordination alongside an early warning and capacity-building mechanism.
Communities were being prepared to withstand future shocks through chiefs, headmen and village heads.
The warning comes after a strong season for the sector. The President has revealled that agriculture grew by 27.9 percent and contributed 2.2 percentage points to the country’s 8.3 percent GDP growth.
“The agriculture sector recorded a phenomenal 27.9% growth and contributed 2.2 percentage points to the country’s 8.3% GDP growth.
The 2026/2027 outlook for our SADC sub-region is regrettably projected to be characterised by unfavourable weather patterns with below normal rainfall. So far, my Government has put in place a Six Pillar Plan for resilience.” Said His Excellency.
“This incorporates an Enhanced Strategic Grain Reserve; Accelerated Climate-Smart Production; Integrated Financing Architecture; Livestock Drought Mitigation; and Co-ordination as well as an Early Warning and Capacity Building mechanism.
Through our Chiefs, Headmen and Village Heads, communities are being prepared to withstand future shocks.” He added.
The drought warning came as the President told legislators that Government had consolidated gains in price, currency and exchange rate stability, with inflation reduced to single-digit levels since January 2026.
He added that, true to the ethos of the Second Republic, Government was leaving no one and no place behind as it prepares communities for the season ahead.
Despite the fears of a poor rainy season, Government says it is not leaving communities to face the drought alone. The President said the Six Pillar Plan, from a bigger strategic grain reserve to early warning systems, is meant to build resilience so that the country is ready for the season ahead.
