'This gives us hope'
How climate-resilient farming is helping communities in southeastern Zimbabwe reclaim food security in the face of drought and a capricious climate. 'Every season felt like a gamble with nature.'
A triumph over despair
In the heart of Zimbabwe's Chipinge District, a quiet joy resonates within Tambudzai Rukatu as she carefully lifts a handful of golden sorghum grains, allowing them to tumble into a green basin resting in her lap.
For Tambudzai, a widow and mother of ward 21 in Chipinge, this moment is more than just a sign of a successful harvest; it symbolizes a hard-won triumph over years of despair and uncertainty.
“In the past, every season felt like a gamble with nature,” she reflects, remembering how drought had ravaged her fields for far too long. “But this year, my sorghum survived.”
This change in fortunes is due in large part to the Southern Africa Compounded Crisis (SACC) initiative, a collaborative effort between the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Netherlands Red Cross Society.
The project has empowered households in four different parts of the district (known as "Wards" ) by providing drought-resistant seeds, including sorghum and cowpeas.
Once bustling rivers running dry
These seeds have had a huge impact because they help growers such as Tambudzai and many other women in her community to deal with the relentless impacts of climate change.
With fluctuating rainfall patterns and repeated droughts, farming communities in Chipinge have faced devastating challenges.
Once-bustling rivers have turned into dry riverbeds, and fields that traditionally flourished with maize now yield little as farmers ask themselves, "Will the rains come? Will our crops survive? Will my family have enough to eat?"
'The fear of hunger is lifting'
Not far away, in Ward 28, Lovejoy Nxumalo shares a similar story.
“Before we received the (drought-resistant) seeds, my family experienced deep hunger. Every day was a struggle,” says Lovejoy Nxumalo, her eyes reflecting both the weight of past hardships and the lightness born from hope.
“Now, with these quick-ripening crops, my children eat regularly, and the fear of hunger is lifting.”
By providing both sorghum and cowpeas, the initiative allows the farmers to plant the seeds side by side, a practice known as "intercropping".
This allows the growers to take advantage of each crop's particular qualities, allowing for maximum climate resilience in drought-prone areas.
While sorghum provides a drought-tolerant, high-calorie staple, cowpeas enrich the soil with nitrogen that helps to fertilise the sorghum and helps it produce protein.
These crops have been crucial for families like Tambudzai’s and Lovejoy’s, allowing them to harvest food even in adverse climate conditions.
Now community discussions reveal a shared sense of optimism. Farmers, once burdened by despair, now speak of their growing confidence. Many report that despite the ongoing challenges, most of their crops have survived, contributing to improved nutrition and food security.
“These seeds have rekindled our hope. My family is not hungry. We can finally plan for our families' futures without the shadow of hunger looming over us.”
Lead farmer Kumbirai Zhangara proudly displays her cowpea harvest in Ward 28, explaining how the drought-resistant varieties have fortified her household’s food supplies.
A harvest of positive results
Field assessments conducted in May 2026 further underscore the significant changes within participating households.
Farmers have noted promising crop yields, and many families are even considering selling surplus produce locally, signalling a shift from mere survival to a more sustainable livelihood.
Moreover, the initiative’s multi-faceted approach extends to strengthening access to water with solar-powered boreholes and promoting health practices through Community Health Clubs.
These efforts are crucial in protecting families' well-being, particularly during periods when diseases often accompany food scarcity.
For the IFRC and ZRCS, supporting climate-smart agriculture is not merely a response to immediate needs. It’s about enabling communities to build resilience before the next climate shock strikes.
In this sense, the impact of the SACC initiative transcends agriculture. It is restoring dignity and fostering a renewed sense of community.
For years, repeated droughts left families trapped in cycles of loss, but now they are forging practical pathways toward adaptation and self-sufficiency.
“This gives us hope,” says Richard Chaoneka another farmer from Ward 20. “Even when the rainfall is poor, we now know there are crops that can still survive. My children won’t have to go to bed hungry.”
Learn more about IFRC efforts around the world to help people cope with the impacts of climate change
Recent stories:
The 2026 'El Niño': How are we preparing for its impact on Latin America and the Caribbean?
Resources:
IFRC's approach to Disaster Climate and Crisis
Africa Zero Hunger: United for durable solutions
Credits:
Words and images by
Rumbidzai Nenzou, Communications Officer
Country Cluster Delegation for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi
Built with Shorthand