No-Till Triumph: Zimbabwe Reaps Bumper Maize Harvest Despite El Nino Threat

Zimbabwe expects to harvest 2.28 million metric tons of maize in 2023, aligning with its annual consumption needs. This projection follows the implementation of climate-resilient farming practices such as no-till farming and water harvesting. In 2022, Zimbabwe produced 2.3 million tons of maize, meeting its yearly requirement of 2.2 million tons for human and livestock consumption.

In December 2023, amid dry and hot weather, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube warned that the maize harvest could fall to 1.1 million tons in 2024 due to an El Nino-induced drought. El Nino, characterized by unusually warm Pacific Ocean surface waters, affects global weather patterns and was expected to impact crop yields during the 2023/24 farming season. However, rains in late December and January improved prospects for a better harvest.

Data shows that smallholder farmers, who are responsible for most of Zimbabwe's maize production, increased their planted area to 744,588 hectares in the 2023-24 season, up from 366,706 hectares in the previous season. This increase indicates a shift towards adopting climate-resistant farming techniques, especially during El Nino conditions.