Farmers in eastern Zimbabwe are being encouraged to reconsider maize-dominated cropping systems and expand drought-tolerant small grains as concerns grow over potentially difficult rainfall conditions during the 2026/27 agricultural season.

The Herald reports that meteorological forecasts are pointing to the possibility of a super El Niño-associated season with below-normal rainfall. In Manicaland, where agriculture remains central to rural livelihoods, preparations are focusing on conservation agriculture, crop diversification, water management and other measures intended to reduce vulnerability to drought.

Among the crops receiving particular attention are sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet. The article identifies these small grains as practical alternatives for areas where increasingly unreliable rainfall makes maize production more vulnerable.

Dry districts and localities including Buhera, Chipinge's lowveld and parts of Makoni, Mutasa and Mutare are highlighted as areas where continued dependence on maize may present increasing challenges under erratic rainfall conditions.

The article argues that sorghum and millets generally require less water and tolerate dry periods better than maize under relevant growing conditions. Beyond climate adaptation, greater small-grain production could contribute to household food availability, dietary diversity and potential income opportunities.

Crop diversification is being accompanied by an expansion of Pfumvudza/Intwasa, Zimbabwe's conservation-agriculture programme. Authorities have increased Manicaland's target from 84,000 plots last season to 174,000 plots for the forthcoming season. The approach promotes practices including minimum soil disturbance, mulching and moisture conservation.

The proposed shift towards small grains also faces a social challenge. The article points to persistent perceptions associating these crops with periods of food scarcity and argues for stronger participation from farmers, extension officers, traditional leaders and development organisations in changing attitudes towards their cultivation.

Drought preparedness extends beyond crops. Farmers are also being encouraged to conserve fodder and crop residues, strengthen water-harvesting systems and consider strategic livestock management where grazing resources could become constrained.

For the millet sector, the development demonstrates how finger millet and pearl millet, alongside sorghum, are increasingly being positioned as components of climate-adaptation strategies in drought-prone African farming systems.

Rather than replacing maize everywhere, the emerging strategy centres on matching crops and farming practices more closely with local water availability and increasingly variable climatic conditions.