Zimbabwe is expecting a potentially record-breaking harvest for the 2025/2026 farming season, thanks to good crop conditions across the country following a favourable rainy season.
Speaking at the launch of the first round of the Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA 1) in Kadoma on 23 January, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Vangelis Haritatos, said crops across the country are looking healthy. He said:
“Our officers are now in the field using iPads and satellite technology to confirm exactly how many hectares were planted this summer, with the official national results expected by early February.
“Looking at the vibrant and healthy crops across the country, it’s clear that our farmers have done an incredible job.”
Medlinah Magwenzi, Chief Director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), described the current crops as the best Zimbabwe has seen in many years. She said:
“We would like to thank the Almighty for the good season, which is better than previous seasons.
“Even if you compare the crop itself over the last five years, you realise that this is a way better crop. The rains are doing so well despite starting a bit late.
“We normally have dry spells in January, and we have been assured by the weather experts that this year the country won’t experience that season.
“To that, we are actually saying the crop is looking very good out there. And because the farmers noted that the season was good.”
However, there are concerns that the current midseason drought could harm crops across the country if it continues for several weeks.
On Wednesday, 28 January, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said Zimbabwe is expected to experience hot and mostly dry conditions in the coming days as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves northwards.
The ITCZ is a belt of low pressure with frequent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, and it plays a key role in shaping rainfall patterns across tropical regions like Zimbabwe.
In a weather advisory, the MSD said that from Thursday, 29 January to Thursday, 5 February 2026, the country is likely to see higher daytime temperatures and generally dry conditions, with possible moisture shortages in many areas.
Farmers are hoping the dry spell does not last for weeks, as it could have a serious impact on crops—especially maize, which has a low tolerance for drought.
Related:
Farmers Advised To Plant Short-Term Crops As Govt. Explores Cloud Seeding
Zimbabwe Rainfall Forecast For 2025-26 Season