By Gary Gerald Mtombeni

Zimbabwean farmers are turning to indigenous and drought-tolerant seed varieties as they prepare for the challenges of climate change and anticipated  super El Niño conditions during the 2026/2027 farming season.

In a speech read on his behalf at the 2026 National Seed Fair held at the Harare Botanical Gardens, on Saturday, Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka said communities should confront the realities of climate change in the wake of the much-predicted El Niño for the 2026/2027 farming season.

“ As we confront the realities of climate change especially the predicted El Nino in the 2026/2027 farming season, food insecurity and environmental degradation, agricultural biodiversity is becoming increasingly important. Protecting seed diversity is therefore not only about preserving our heritage; it is also about strengthening the resilience of our communities and our food systems,” he said.

Masuka added:“Today we gather not only to display and exchange seeds, but also to celebrate the knowledge, traditions and practices that communities have developed over generations to conserve, select, exchange and use indigenous seeds.

“Zimbabwe has a rich diversity of indigenous crops and varieties that have sustained communities for generations. Crops such as Cowpeas (seed of the year), sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, bambara nuts, indigenous vegetables and many other locally adapted varieties have played an important role in our food systems, particularly in areas where climatic conditions can be challenging. These crops and seeds carry valuable characteristics.”

Zimbabwe Small Holder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) chairperson Delmah Ndlovu said farmers should grow a variety of cereals that can sustain them when weather conditions change.

“We have drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet. We also have maize, including traditional varieties. Having all these different crops gives the farmer protection. It means that when one crop fails, another can do well. Not all of them will fail," Ndlovu said.

“This is also important for food storage and preservation. Take rapoko, for example. Rapoko can be stored for many years without going bad. If it can remain edible for up to 14 years, then the rapoko I harvested two years ago is still available for me to eat. That is not necessarily the case with maize," he added.

Ndlovu further said, “This is why we are saying it is so important for farmers not to grow these crops only seasonally or only when there is an El Niño forecast. They should grow them every season and store them. That way, when El Niño eventually comes, they already have enough food stored, and they won’t be left without food.”

ZIMSOFF farmer Melameli Ncube from Nkayi in Matabeland North province, said farmers were ready to face the challenges posed by El Niño by relying on indigenous seed varieties and traditional farming knowledge.

"This year we had a huge surplus from our fields, we have even put aside some grains such as sorghum, millet, maize and Rapoko, all in preparation for the upcoming Elnino," Ncube said.

"To add on to that we have started even destocking some domestic animals to remain with the few that will be able to sustain us during that season. We have also started digging holes so that the little rainfall we are going to receive is going to be stored in the holes, to preserve moisture and remain wet."  

Farmers were also trained in water-harvesting techniques to help them make the most of limited rainfall and improve soil moisture retention during dry spells.

Jenny Dube, a farmer from Chimanimani district in Manicaland province, said the trainings had helped them to make better use of the little water available.

“We have learnt that through water harvesting, we can make the most of the little water available. We will continue practising water harvesting so that we can still produce enough grain even when we do not receive much rainfall."