Agriculture sector disaster risk assessment is a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s economy, as agriculture plays a significant role in the country’s economy. The agricultural sector provides a livelihood to most of its population and contributes a lot to a country’s GDP. The sector holds a wide variety of activities, including crop and livestock production, forestry and fisheries, each of which is prone to various man-made and natural risks. These risks include droughts, floods, pests, and diseases. These pose some threatening challenges that could harm the country’s food security and economic stability. Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector also faces numerous problems due to its diverse ecological zones, which have different levels of exposure to climate change. Mostly, smallholder farmers face difficulties in managing these risks. These are usually due to limited access to resources, technologies and financial services. As a result, agriculture remains highly prone to disasters, which can have severe impacts on rural communities and national food security. The blog provided a detailed overview of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, including sources of risk, capacity to manage agricultural risk, and risk management strategies

1. Overview of Zimbabwe’s Agriculture Sector

2. Sources of Risk

• Agro-ecological Regions 

• Risk Identification 

• Risk Prioritization 

3. Capacity to Manage Agricultural Risk

A. Vulnerability Factors 

• Poverty 

• Gender Asymmetries 

• Limited Income Buffers 

B. Agricultural Services for Strengthening Resilience 

• Agricultural Innovation System 

• Sanitary And Phytosanitary System 

C. Assessing Disaster Risk Management Capacity 

• Legal Framework 

• Policy Framework 

• Institutional Framework and Coordination 

• Disaster Financing Mechanisms 

• Ex-Post Disaster Risk Financing from Donor and Humanitarian Aid

Agriculture contributes 11% of Zimbabwe’s  GDP and supports the livelihoods of 67% of the population.  It also supports the country’s agro-based industrial initiatives and provides jobs to almost one-third of the labour force. Small-scale farmers have dominated this sector since the introduction of the Fast Track Land Reform Program in the early 2000s. The area of large commercial farms had shrunk from 5.5 million hectares in 1980 to 3.4 million hectares by 2009, due to the increasing dominance of small-scale farmers. However, the smallholder farmers’ dominance shows problematic challenges, mainly in improving productivity, market access, and managing agricultural risk. Zimbabwe’s agriculture is diverse. It benefits agro-climatic conditions that allow the production of over 20 food and cash crops with livestock like poultry, pigs, dairy and beef cattle. 

Important agricultural materials include food crops such as maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, groundnuts, and beans. It also produces major cash crops, including tobacco, cotton, and sugarcane. Among these, four crops are crucial.  Maize is the staple food and is the centre of food security. Groundnuts contribute to household nutrition. Tobacco is the leading cash crop, accounting for over 50% of agricultural exports and almost 30% of total exports during 2016-2017. Cotton also plays a bold role in the development and reduction of poverty. It is a vital cash crop and is the second or third largest agricultural foreign exchange earner after tobacco, contributing 12.6% to agricultural GDP.

• Agro-ecological Regions 

Zimbabwe is divided into five agro-ecological regions, classified by rainfall, soil quality, and vegetation, which influence agricultural activities and associated risks.

Region 1: Located in the eastern highlands and receives over 1,000 mm of rainfall. It supports tiber, dairy farming, and a variety of crops like coffee, tea, bananas, apples, potatoes, and vegetables.

Region 2: Located in the north. It receives 750–1,000 mm of rainfall and has fertile oil. It is best for livestock production and thorough cropping. Major crops include maize, tobacco, cotton, wheat, soybeans, and groundnuts. Wheat and barley are grown in dry months. Livestock farming includes beef, dairy, pigs, and poultry.

Region 3: Covers mid-altitude areas and receives 500–750 mm of rainfall. It supports intermediate farming and focuses on livestock, fodder, and crops like maize, cotton, groundnuts, and sunflowers.

Region 4: Has low rainfall (450–650 mm) and many droughts. It supports drought-tolerant crops, such as sorghum, millet, and maize, as well as livestock.

Region 5: The driest zone, which receives under 650 mm of rainfall. Poor soil and land limit crop production, favouring cattle, goats, game ranching, and tourism. Small-scale farming is effective, but it faces recurring failures due to drought.

• Risk Identification 

Agricultural risks in Zimbabwe have different impacts depending on the severity, the farmer’s ability to manage risks, etc. Crops that are rainfed, such as maize and groundnuts, are vulnerable to rainfall inconsistency, whereas crops like tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton have lower risks due to irrigation and contract farming. Drought remains the most serious threat, as well as pests, diseases, and price fluctuations. 

However, some farmers take action, such as improving inputs, irrigation, and growing a variety of crops. But their access is usually limited. Many lack transfer options like insurance. Severe shocks force households to adopt negative strategies, undermining their long-term food security and health.

• Risk Prioritization 

Agricultural production risks in Zimbabwe have a significant impact on food security and agricultural stability. These risks were prioritised based on their frequency, severity, and the ability to manage them. Severe droughts, particularly in Regions IV and V, emerged as the most critical risk. Here, droughts occur every five years and cause great losses to crops and livestock. Droughts across all regions, as well as consecutive seasons of below-normal rainfall in sugarcane areas, pose serious threats. 

The 2015/16 drought reduced agricultural output by 5% and left millions food insecure. Other frequent weather-related risks include dry spells, erratic rainfall, and hailstorms. Policy-related risks, like unstable support prices and input provisions, are also concerning. Pests, such as the fall armyworm in maize and the Tuta absoluta moth in horticulture and tobacco, pose further threats to production. Many of these risks exceed the capacity of farmers and stakeholders to manage improved risk mitigation strategies.

1. Vulnerability Factors 

• Poverty 

Over 70% of Zimbabwe’s population lives in rural, underdeveloped areas, and 67% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Poverty is high, mostly in these rural areas, where 72% of households experience severe poverty. Poverty is most severe in drier areas like Region IV  and V. Matabeleland North records the highest inequality, with a Gini coefficient of 85.7%.  Female-headed households face greater poverty (72%) than male-headed ones (58%). Agricultural risks like drought and pests further worsen poverty by damaging business investment and access to essential services and limiting assets. All these together reinforce a persistent poverty cycle.

• Gender Asymmetries 

In Zimbabwe, gender inequality in ownership and service marks women farmers’ vulnerability to agricultural risk. Although women represent 54% of the agricultural sector, they often have limited access to land and livestock. Only 18% of A1 and 12% of A2 farmers are women, who hold just 10% of the redistributed land. Men in commercial farming own 80% of the cattle, while women contribute only 20%. Women’s access to credit is limited. Women receive just 2% of loans compared to 9.6% of men, restricting investment in farming and risk reduction.

• Limited Income Buffers 

Livestock is an income buffer for farmers. However, during disasters, it is usually sold at a low price, offering little relief to the victims. Agricultural insurance could help manage these risks, but such options remain limited in Zimbabwe.

Livestock is an income buffer for farmers. However, during disasters, they are often sold at a low price, offering some relief to the victims. Agricultural insurance could help manage these risks. But such options remain limited in Zimbabwe.

2. Agricultural Services for Strengthening Resilience 

• Agricultural Innovation System 

Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) has vital agencies like the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR-SS), Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX), agricultural colleges, and the Agricultural Research Council. These agencies offer information, training, and extension services. Private seed companies, such as Seed Co., and academic programs contribute significantly to innovation. However, public investment in research is low compared to neighbouring countries. 

The AIS faces challenges such as limited staff, outdated research technologies, and resource constraints. Around 1900, extension workers served two million smallholder farmers in vulnerable areas. Vital priorities include training staff in ICT and value chain approaches, enhancing mobility and embracing digital services. Strengthening AIS is crucial for smallholder farmers, CSA, gender equality and improved livelihoods.

• Sanitary And Phytosanitary System 

In Zimbabwe, a part of the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR-SS) is the Plant Quarantine Service (PQS). It manages plant health and manages both internal and international quarantine systems. PQS oversees plant inspections, seed certification, and phytosanitary services, with staff located at regional offices and entry points, such as Harare Airport. Other DR-SS institutes involved in plant health include the Horticultural Research Institute and the Plant Protection Research Institute. 

For animal health, the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services addresses risks such as disease outbreaks, illegal animal trafficking, and inadequate animal services.  Despite a well-rounded sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) foundation, audits from the EU and FAO, as well as capacity building, highlight gaps in implementation due to limited human resources, technology, and infrastructure. Food safety oversight is governed by the Food Safety Standards Act and the Public Health Act. The duties are shared between the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and agricultural bodies.

3. Assessing Disaster Risk Management Capacity 

• Legal Framework 

Zimbabwe’s disaster risk management system is mainly based on laws established over the past two decades.  The Civil Protection Act (1989) gives the legal basis for disaster response, establishing the  Department of Civil Protection (DCP) and the National Civil Protection Fund to finance emergency actions. However, the act primarily focuses on disaster response and lacks broader measures for risk reduction, readiness, productivity, and financing. 

In 2011, a Disaster Risk Management Bill was introduced to address these gaps, but it is currently under legislative review.  A 2017 UN review stated that the bill aligns with global standards, but raised doubts about whether Zimbabwe can afford to allocate 1% of its budget to disaster management. Other laws include the Meteorological Services Act (1990) and the Grain Marketing Act (1996). However, both laws face operational limitations due to limited funding and problems in maintaining sufficient reserves.

• Policy Framework 

Zimbabwe has many policies that support disaster management and financing, but they lack clear details on how these initiatives should work. The National Climate Policy (2016) and the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) offer many easy-to-incorporate climate risk management strategies within broader policy frameworks. The National Climate Policy advises to create a National Climate Fund (NCF). This is supported by the national budget to finance climate strategies and disaster responses. The NCCRS is also worried about disaster risk management, proposing a budget of $519 million for related activities. They expect funding from the government, donors and financial institutions. However, policies like the DCP strategic plan (2015-2020) and the draft National Disaster Risk Management Strategy (2012) do not clearly explain disaster risk financing. A detailed study and strategy are necessary to support affected communities and small-scale farmers on this topic.

• Institutional Framework and Coordination 

Zimbabwe’s disaster management is led by the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) through the Civil Protection Organisation (CPO). It includes different government agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and donors. Foundations, such as the National Civil Protection Committee and local committees, manage emergencies. However, the DCP faces many challenges, such as staff shortages, limited resources, outdated technologies, and the absence of an emergency operations centre.  These problems weaken the system and result in slower decision-making. 

The system focuses on post-disaster response, with funding coming from the government and international aid. Early warning systems for disasters are managed by the Meteorological Services Department, which is responsible for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. However, their potential is harmed by old technologies and financial limitations. Moreover, the Ministry of Lands and the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC)  contribute a lot to agricultural disaster preparedness and food security assessments. However, overall preparedness and linkage remain limited.

• Disaster Financing Mechanisms 

Zimbabwe’s disaster risk financing strategy mainly depends on ex-post measures such as budget reallocations and debt rescheduling, with limited options like contingency funds. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) allocates funds annually. However, the Department of Civil Protection’s (DCP) operational budget is scarce, making it difficult to meet disaster needs. The Civil Protection Fund supports disaster responses but is currently low on funds, and since there are no contingency funds, they must rely on their central fund. 

Local authorities who are financially weak and indebted struggle to face disasters without DCP or donor support. Delays in fund payment from MoFED further restrict DCP’s timely response. Moreover, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)  is assigned to maintain a Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) to bugger against food emergencies, but low production and structural challenges harm reserve maintenance. The SGR is only released after a declaration of national disaster. Often, a crisis’s effectiveness is limited as a timely disaster risk financing tool after the crisis has escalated.

• Ex-Post Disaster Risk Financing from Donor and Humanitarian Aid 

When massive disasters occur, and Zimbabwe is unable to manage them alone, it requests aid from other countries and international aid groups. Various partners, including the UN’s World Food Programme, UNICEF, USAID, and FAO, provide support.  They help by providing food, healthcare, clean water, and other services. Some of these groups use emergency funds to dispatch supplies promptly. These funds are usually small but enough to aid the country in effect. In 2016, Zimbabwe received about US$166.9 million from these partners. This money helped people get food, water, and healthcare services. Still, there was not enough money to meet all the needs. This international aid adds to Zimbabwe’s efforts, making disaster responses stronger and helping affected families.

1. Risk Mitigation

• Moving Toward an Enabling Policy Framework

• Strengthening the Agricultural Innovation System

• Improving Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Improving Early Warning Systems

2. Agricultural Insurance

• An important tool to deal with risks for farmers at the farm level. Farmers can transfer this risk to another party in exchange for a premium.

3. Sovereign Disaster Risk Management

• Financial Gap and Sources of Funds

• Adaptive Social Protection

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is vital to its economy; however, it faces several risks, such as climate change, erratic weather, pests, diseases, and lower food security. Smallholder farmers are mainly prone due to limited resources and risk management tools. A comprehensive disaster management approach, including the knowledge of assessing the risks early, is a great way to combat this battle. By combining farm-level mitigation, insurance solutions, and robust risk management systems, agricultural insurance can protect the livelihoods of farmers. Improving disaster response through financial instruments is key to reducing the long-term impacts. A protection system can improve safety for affected households, delivering timely support during crises. Implementing climate risk management into national policies and leveraging existing programs can help create a more active disaster risk management approach. A coordinated strategy with public-private partnerships and investment in agricultural services will ensure Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector to be more resilient and sustainable.