Working towards climate-resilient agricultural systems in Zimbabwe

Homann-Kee Tui, S and Sisito, G and Moyo, E and Dube, T and Valdivia, R and Madajevicz, M and Bafana, B (2021) Working towards climate-resilient agricultural systems in Zimbabwe. [Policy Briefs]

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Abstract

Multiple challenges, including climate change and COVID-19, are affecting agricultural systems and livelihoods in Zimbabwe. An unstable macro-economic environment will exacerbate poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among smallholder farmers. Zimbabwe is projected to face drier conditions, with the Southern and Western regions of the country being more affected (World Bank, 2021). Increasing temperatures will worsen the current dry conditions, e.g. causing soils to dry up quicker, limiting available soil moisture and affecting plant growth negatively. Seasonal rainfall is expected to decrease, with late onset of the season, season shortening and higher frequency of extremes such as prolonged dry spells, droughts, floods and intense rainstorms. A higher prevalence of diseases, due to variations in climatic conditions, has potential to adversely affect crops and livestock. There is also evidence that semi-arid conditions are expanding in the country. This will increase vulnerability to climate risk, resulting in food insecurity.

Item Type:	Policy Briefs
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Climate Change, Climate Resilient, Zimbabwe
Subjects:	Others > Climate Resilient Technologies Others > Climate Change
Depositing User:	Mr Arun S
Date Deposited:	14 Dec 2021 10:38
Last Modified:	14 Dec 2021 10:53
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11933
Acknowledgement:	This work was carried out with financial support from the UK Government’s Department for International Development and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, as well as the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada Climate and Resilience (CLARE) Program; via the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement (AgMIP) ‘A-Teams’ project award #109204-001 to Columbia University, including support of seven additional AgMIP partners. We appreciate the review of this brief by Mr Washington Zhakata and Mr Kudzai Ndidzano (Climate Change Management Department), and by Dr Carolyn Mutter (Columbia University). Thanks to Dr Joske Houtkamp (Wageningen University) and Ms Jemima Mandapati (ICRISAT) for design and editing.
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