Farmers urged to prepare for EL Nino

Ngabwe Town Council Chairperson Golden Kalebuka has issued a stern call to agricultural communities within the district, urging them to proactively brace for the looming El Niño weather pattern by retaining adequate maize stocks for domestic consumption. Speaking during a localized inspection tour of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) infrastructure, Mr. Kalebuka emphasized that household food security must remain the paramount priority for every farming family as regional weather forecasts point toward volatile rainfall conditions in the upcoming agricultural season. The local leader's caution mirrors broader national concerns raised by agricultural experts and government officials regarding the high probability of suppressed rainfall. With meteorological indicators pointing to potential dry spells and extreme temperatures across parts of Southern Africa, local authorities are anxious to prevent premature sell-offs of grain harvests. Many smallholder farmers, eager for quick cash returns, often market the entirety of their yield to commercial buyers or the FRA without factoring in the long-term risks posed by shifting weather anomalies. Mr. Kalebuka stressed that while commercial engagement and crop sales are vital for rural livelihoods, communities must balance market ambitions with tactical grain storage. The FRA depots play a critical strategic role in stabilizing national reserves, but local council leadership insists that individual household silos and community-level reserves serve as the primary line of defense against seasonal shocks. Farmers have consequently been advised to explore climate-smart agricultural practices, including the adoption of early-maturing seed varieties and drought-tolerant crops, to cushion potential shortfalls. Furthermore, the inspection highlighted the logistical challenges facing rural depots, including the need for efficient grain handling and prompt farmer payouts to maintain confidence in state-managed marketing channels. As the