El Niño’s Unrelenting Grip on Zim’s Women Farmers:...

El Niño’s Unrelenting Grip on Zim’s Women Farmers: A Tale of Resilience and Adversity

Philemon Jambaya

As the 2023/24 cropping season unfolds, Zimbabwe’s women farmers are once again facing the formidable challenge of El Niño, the climate phenomenon that wreaks havoc on agricultural production. For these women, who form the backbone of the country's agricultural sector, El Niño’s erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts have become an unwelcome companion, threatening their livelihoods and food security.

“I bought my seeds, and I was ready to plant,” lamented Nomusa Sithole, a small-scale farmer from Beatrice . “I had prepared the land, and I was eager to start my new season. But the rains have not come. I’m worried about my crops. I’m worried about my family.”

Her words echo the sentiments of countless women farmers across Zimbabwe, who have invested their time, energy, and resources into their fields, only to face the cruel hand of El Niño’s capricious weather patterns.

“I planted my seeds weeks ago, and I've been waiting for the rains,” shared Tamuka, a mother of three from Harare. “But the skies are still dry. My crops are starting to wilt. I don’t know what we’re going to do if the rains don’t come soon.”

The erratic rainfall has disrupted planting schedules, leading to reduced crop yields and increased reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Women farmers, who often lack access to irrigation infrastructure and financial resources, are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions. Their limited access to technology and extension services further exacerbates their struggles in adapting to the changing climate.

Despite these formidable challenges, Zimbabwe’s women farmers have demonstrated remarkable resilience, employing traditional coping mechanisms and seeking innovative solutions to overcome the odds. They have embraced drought-resistant crops, implemented water conservation techniques, and formed collectives to share knowledge and resources.

“El Niño is a constant threat to our livelihoods,” acknowledged Gogo Sithole, a seasoned prei-urban farmer from Highfield. “It’s a battle we fight every year. But we'’e not giving up. We're learning to adapt, and we're finding ways to cope.”

Their resilience is evident in their unwavering determination to provide for their families and communities. Despite the challenges, they continue to toil in their fields, nurturing their crops and hoping for a bountiful harvest.

“We’re the backbone of Zimbabwe’s agriculture, but we’re also the most vulnerable to El Niño,” asserted Thandi Mtetwa, a community leader from Mashonaland Central Province. “We need more support from the government and from the international community to help us build resilience and protect our livelihoods.”

Their call for support resonates with the urgent need to address the gendered dimensions of climate change. Women farmers, who often bear the brunt of climate impacts, require targeted interventions that address their specific needs and vulnerabilities.

“We’re women, and we’re farmers,” declared Anesu, a young farmer from Midlands Province. “We’re strong, and we’re determined. We will not be defeated by El Niño.”