Zimbabwe has a subtropical climate with a summer season extending from October to April. Rainfall is erratic and unevenly distributed, resulting in crop failures that occur three out of every five years. Semi-arid conditions cover 75 percent of Zimbabwe. Smallholder farmers in these a reas currently face food insecurity as a result of climate variations. The percentage of GDP from agriculture has fluctuated between 10 and 20 percent, reaching its lowest shares during dry years (in 1991–92, 1992–93, and 2001–02). Between 2000 and 2008, the urban growth rate declined to 1.2 percent, while rural growth became negative (–0.7 percent).

Copyright: IFPRI, FARNPAN, CCAFS

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