Latest

Zimbabwe issues early El Niño warning ahead of 2026/27 rainy season

By Staff Writer | June 1, 2026

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s weather authorities have issued an early preliminary warning over a possible El Niño event during the 2026/27 rainy season, urging the public and key sectors to begin precautionary planning while cautioning against panic-driven decisions. The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD) announced on 29 April 2026 that global climate forecasting centres are indicating…

What is ADMA?

By Staff Writer | May 22, 2026

The Agricultural Dealers and Manufacturers Association (ADMA) is a registered industry body in Zimbabwe representing companies involved in agricultural machinery, equipment, mechanisation, and inputs such as fertilisers, chemicals, and irrigation systems. Its core role is to promote ethical trading practices in the agri-supply sector, uphold service and quality standards, and support farmers’ access to reliable,…

Indigenous genetics return to the ring as ADMA Livestock Sale expands to include sheep

By Staff Writer | May 18, 2026

The third annual livestock sale at the Agricultural Dealers and Manufacturers Association Agrishow is set to take place on 6 June 2026, with proceedings beginning at 10am. After two successful sales showcasing Zimbabwe’s indigenous cattle breeds, this year’s event will see the format expanded to include sheep – the adapted Dorper and the indigenous Sabi…

The rescue dogs helping farmers fight theft and poaching

By Staff Writer | May 11, 2026

What began as an animal rescue challenge has evolved into an innovative working dog programme that is helping protect farms, livestock and wildlife across Zimbabwe. The Friend Animal Foundation (FAF) established its Patrol Dog Programme two years ago in response to growing pressure on its rescue facilities. With increasing numbers of abandoned and surrendered dogs…

Zimbabwe’s 2025/26 maize crop: strong planting, mixed season, harvest still provisional

By Staff Writer | May 4, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2025/26 summer cropping season opened with a strong national planting effort, but the final maize harvest remains provisional as reaping continues across the country. Official and industry reports indicate that approximately 1,885,833 hectares of maize were planted, exceeding the national target of 1.8 million hectares and reaching about 105% of planned area (millingmea.com). This…

Tobacco growers warn of tough season as prices lag despite strong sales

By Staff Writer | April 27, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 tobacco marketing season is unfolding with sharply contrasting signals; record early volumes on the one hand, and mounting concern from growers on the other, as prices come under pressure in what industry leaders are increasingly describing as an oversupplied market. Latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show that by mid-April,…

Haritatos takes the helm of newly split Lands Ministry

By Staff Writer | April 20, 2026

His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in Honourable Vangelis Peter Haritatos as Zimbabwe’s new Minister of Lands and Rural Development, following the separation of the former Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development into two standalone portfolios. The appointment, which became effective on 10 April, sees Haritatos take charge of the newly…

Farmed bird (ostrich, chicken & turkey) behaviour

By Staff Writer | April 13, 2026

by Ross G. Cooper, D.Phil. Ostriches, chickens and turkeys, are principally terrestrial, although they are certainly capable of great leaps particularly during avoidance and defensive stances. It is essential that the farmer establishes the correct incubator temperature and relative humidity parameters if the development of the embryo, including its limbs and wings, are to proceed…

ART Farm Varieties Demo Day: Seed, chemicals, innovations

By Staff Writer | April 2, 2026

ART Farm recently held its annual Varieties Demo Day, bringing together partners, seed companies, agrochemical suppliers and farmers for a showcase that this season carried a distinctly forward-looking flavour. Alongside the traditional side-by-side variety plots, the day surfaced a technology conversation that is growing louder across the commercial farming sector: drone spraying, and the regulatory…

How a conflict thousands of miles away has potential to disrupt Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector

By Staff Writer | March 30, 2026

A recent post by Clarence Mwale, CEO of Kuminda and Chairman of the Export Produce Growers Association of Zimbabwe (EPGAZ), a sub sector of the Horticultural Development Council (HDC), has highlighted a growing crisis facing Zimbabwe’s export horticulture industry and one that is unfolding far beyond the farm gate. Whilst the war may be far…