# Southern African Farmers Adopt Agroecology to Combat El Nino Droughts Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe and Zambia utilize sustainable techniques to secure food production. - **Source:** [RFI English](https://www.rfi.fr/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [climate](https://brifing.si/c/climate) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e82f2d6f-3c7a-4431-beb7-5c608868688b ## Proactive Drought Preparation Farmers in Zimbabwe and Zambia are adopting agroecology to mitigate the impact of the strengthening El Nino climate pattern. By digging shallow pits and using organic manure, growers like Dudzai Matsapa aim to capture water and concentrate nutrients. These methods prepare fields for the extreme heat and drought predicted through early 2026. ## The Pothole Technique The pothole method involves disrupting only the specific soil spots where plants grow rather than ploughing entire fields. This practice concentrates organic matter, improves water retention, and significantly boosts crop yields in arid conditions. By minimizing soil disturbance, farmers maintain soil health and structure, which is vital for surviving prolonged dry spells. ## Yields and Sustainability Research indicates that agroecology can match or exceed industrial agriculture outputs. Rotating legumes with cereals has shown a 41 percent average increase in cereal yields across Sub-Saharan Africa. These sustainable practices conserve water and increase biodiversity, providing a robust alternative to conventional farming methods that often fail during intense, climate-driven drought events. ## Diversified Crop Strategies Farmers are increasingly planting drought-resistant varieties of maize, groundnuts, sunflower, sorghum, and millet. These crops mature faster and require significantly less water than traditional varieties. By selecting early-maturity seeds like the kafwamba maize, farmers ensure they can secure a harvest even when rainfall is insufficient for standard, water-intensive agricultural cycles. ## Benefits of Intercropping Intercropping, the practice of growing multiple species simultaneously, serves as a natural pest control and soil stabilizer. By holding soil together, it reduces erosion and lowers moisture evaporation rates. Farmers also utilize natural bio-chemicals, such as mixtures of garlic and chilli, to protect crops from insects without relying on expensive, manmade pesticides. ## Economic Resilience Evidence Data from Sesheke, Zambia, shows that agroecology practitioners maintain food security even during droughts. One farmer reported harvesting over a tonne of maize during a dry season, enough to feed his family and sell the surplus. In contrast, farmers using conventional techniques often see their crops shrivel completely under similar weather conditions. ## Policy and Financing Needs While individual farmers are successfully adapting, experts argue for broader systemic change. ActionAid Zambia emphasizes that governments must move beyond recognizing sustainable agriculture in policy documents. Actively financing agroecology as a national priority is essential to integrate these resilient farming practices into broader climate development plans across the southern African region. ## Future Climate Outlook The World Meteorological Organization warns that El Nino will likely peak in late 2026, continuing until at least February. As climate change threatens rural livelihoods, the shift toward agroecology represents a critical adaptation strategy. Farmers remain focused on these sustainable methods, waiting for the season while prepared for the anticipated environmental challenges. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20261108-southern-african-farmers-prepare-their-fields-for-a-powerful-el-nino — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._