June 16, 2004

Agro-climatic Zones in Zimbabwe

Table. 4. Agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe and the recommended farming systems in each zone (Vincent and Thomas, 1960).

Natural Region	Area (km-2)	Rainfall (mm yr-1)	Farming system
I	7 000	>1 000	Specialized and diversified farming
II	58 600	750 – 1 000	Intensive farming
III	72 900	650 - 800	Semi-intensive farming
IV	147 800	450 - 650	Semi-extensive farming
V	104 400	<450	Extensive farming

Vincent and Thomas (1960) divided Zimbabwe into five main natural regions according to differences in effective rainfall (Figure 2; Table 4).  Rainfall patterns and crop production progressively deteriorate from Region I to V.

Annual rainfall is highest in Natural region I which covers approximately 2% of the land area. It is a specialized and diversified farming region with plantation forestry, fruit and intensive livestock production. Tea, coffee and macadamia nuts are grown in frost-free areas. Natural region II covering 15% of the land area, receives lower rainfall than region I, nevertheless is suitable for intensive farming based on crops or livestock production.

Natural region III is a semi-intensive farming region covering 19% of Zimbabwe. Although rainfall in this region is moderate in total amount, severe mid season dry spells make it marginal for maize, tobacco and cotton, or for enterprises based on crop production alone. The farming systems are therefore based on both livestock (assisted by the production of fodder crops) and cash crops.

Natural region IV is a semi-extensive farming region covering about 38% of Zimbabwe. Rainfall is low and periodic seasonal droughts and severe dry spells during the rainy season are common. Crop production is therefore risky except in certain very favorable localities, where limited drought resistant crops are grown as a sideline. The farming is based on livestock and drought resistant fodder crops.

Natural region V is an extensive farming region covering about 27% of Zimbabwe. Rainfall in this region is too low and erratic for the reliable production of even drought resistant fodder and grain crops, and farming is based on grazing natural pasture. Extensive cattle or game ranching is the only sound farming system for this region.

References

Vincent, V. and Thomas, R.G. 1960. An agricultural survey of Southern Rhodesia: Part I: agro-ecological survey. Government Printer, Salisbury

For more information, contact Curt Reynolds
with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, at Curt.Reynolds@fas.usda.gov or (202) 690-0134.