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The rescue dogs helping farmers fight theft and poaching
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
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
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
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 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
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
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…
ART Farm, Harare, the venue for ZHB Beef School 2026
The Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) Beef School returns in September 2026 with a strong, practical programme designed to support livestock producers across the country, this time being hosted in Harare for the first time in many years. The move to bring the event to our capital city comes at an important time for the agricultural…
Are current fertiliser recommendations and trial conditions relevant to smallholder maize farmers?
As the Agricultural Research Trust (ART) prepares to host a Varieties Demo Open Day next Thursday at its research farm in ART Farm near Harare, an important discussion has emerged around the relevance of maize research trials and fertiliser recommendations for the country’s diverse farming sector. The online debate between ART Farm Head of Research…
Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks raise regional alarm across Southern Africa
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), one of the world’s most contagious livestock diseases, is threatening cattle industries and rural livelihoods across Southern Africa after confirmed outbreaks in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries triggered heightened regional concerns, trade restrictions and intensified disease control measures. Early this year, Zimbabwe’s veterinary authorities confirmed an outbreak of FMD in Mangwe District, close…