Zimbabwe’s ongoing drought, described as the most severe El Niño-induced dry spell since the country’s independence, has defied typical expectations of widespread food shortages. Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, called the situation “unusual,” noting the absence of the long food queues and rising prices usually associated with such droughts.
Speaking at the 8th National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo, Dr. Masuka credited Zimbabwe’s stable food situation to the “prudent leadership” of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He emphasized that despite the ongoing crisis, the government is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring no citizen goes hungry, even in the face of the worst drought the country has experienced in decades.
“The El Niño drought is unprecedented in its severity, yet we are seeing no food shortages and no increase in food prices—this is largely due to the wise and strategic leadership of President Mnangagwa,” Dr. Masuka remarked.
Dr. Masuka reassured the nation that the government has secured sufficient food supplies to feed 6.54 million people until March 2025 and 4.5 million schoolchildren up to Grade 7 until April 2025. In addition, the government has initiated cash transfers to support 1.7 million vulnerable urban residents who are most at risk during this period.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s proactive measures, which include direct support to 12.74 million people—representing 83.4% of the country’s population. These efforts aim to ensure food security at the household level for vulnerable families, allowing them to weather the effects of the drought until the next harvest.
President Mnangagwa has consistently pledged that no one in Zimbabwe will face food insecurity. His government has implemented a range of initiatives designed to mitigate the worst impacts of the drought, such as securing food supplies and providing targeted assistance to the most vulnerable populations.
The El Niño conditions of the 2023-2024 farming season, characterized by extremely low rainfall and high temperatures, have wreaked havoc on crops across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. Despite these harsh conditions, the swift and comprehensive actions by the government appear to have shielded the country from widespread famine.