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Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
The Meteorological Services Department has advised responsible authorities to plan for a drought every year and invest in dam construction and irrigation schemes as rainfall patterns have become more unpredictable due to climate change.

During a presentation at the third agro-business annual conference at the Harare Agricultural Show yesterday, MSD director, Dr Amos Makarau said climate change had increased uncertainty and increasing vulnerability at individual, family and village levels.

“Zimbabwe should plan for drought every year.

“The rainfall seasons are no longer reliable especially the period between November and March. January is now characterised with low rainfall, and for the past years the rains have been declining in January,” he said.

Dr Makarau said extreme weather patterns were becoming more severe with rains becoming more erratic.

“Of late, rains have become more violent and destructive with strong winds becoming more prevalent in Zimbabwe. Climate change is no longer an ‘us’ or ‘them’ issue. We all have to collectively respond to the phenomena.”