by Conrad Murendo, Lars Otto Naess and Kizito Mazvimavi

Conservation agriculture, crop diversification and growing of drought tolerant crops are the main climate adaptation strategies widely practiced by households in Zimbabwe. Using data from FAC household survey of 2011, the study reveals that male household heads are the dominant decision makers in climate risk management. However women and children in the household provide the bulk of labour for these activities. Training farmers (including women and youth farmers) in conservation agriculture, conservation of livestock fodder as well as in use of drought tolerant crops appear to be key policy options relevant in the area. Programmes that aim at building the decision making capacity of women and youths in the households are crucial.