Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production adopted from 2nd Edition Zimbabwe Agriculture Sector Survey (2019-2020).
The research shows that climate change vulnerability negatively impacted productivity in the sector. Climate change has manifested through incessant droughts and reduced precipitation which has reduced output of grains by more than 50%. Livestock production has also not been spared with cattle dying due to food and water shortages caused by droughts.
According to the study, Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces recorded the highest number of poverty deaths in cattle at 17518 and 16863 respectively. This trend, if not addressed, is likely to negatively affect the country’s progress towards rebuilding the national herd. The annual survey gathers sector-wide, in-depth, objective and independent data on agriculture, agribusiness, machinery, equipment, irrigation, climate change, investment, markets and comparative data from regional economies, to inform Zimbabwe’s stage of growth, highlight challenges and illuminate opportunities in agriculture.