Archive for August 2026
Food access set to tighten as Zimbabwe heads towards late 2026
High cereal prices, depleted household stocks and weaker purchasing power are expected to put increasing pressure on food security in Zimbabwe later this year, according to a new FEWS NET assessment. Zimbabwe’s relatively good 2026 harvest is providing an important cushion for many households, but that cushion is not expected to last everywhere. The latest…
Read MoreGreen card dreams in gum boots: The untold ambitions of Zimbabwe’s rural agripreneurs
By day I’m dosing rabbits and repairing drip lines. By night I’m checking DV Lottery results. This is the double life so many of us rural agripreneurs live; rooted here, but still looking abroad. The gumboots are still wet from the morning dew. Before the sun is fully up, I’m in my rabbitry in Tagarika…
Read MoreThe burning question – is your farm ready for the fire season?
Why Zimbabwean farmers need a community fire strategy The images coming out of Britain and Europe this August have been a sobering reminder of how quickly a dry landscape can become a wall of fire. Britain has experienced record levels of wildfire activity this year, with homes destroyed, communities evacuated and military personnel brought in…
Read MoreRethinking the fight against Tuta absoluta: Can healthier plants mean fewer sprays?
The battle against Tuta absoluta, commonly known as tomato leaf miner, is prompting an important discussion among growers: are pesticides the best long-term answer, or should farmers be putting more emphasis on plant health, nutrition and natural pest control? A recent discussion among growers and agricultural practitioners highlighted the complexity of managing the pest, with…
Read MorePreparing for the 2026–27 El Niño season: Variety selection for successful tobacco production
The forecast of a possible super El Niño during the 2026–27 agricultural season has understandably raised concerns among farmers across Zimbabwe. El Niño conditions are often associated with below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, high temperatures, and increased moisture stress factors that can significantly reduce crop productivity if farmers are unprepared. However, an El Niño forecast…
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