GDP nosedives as drought bites

ZIMBABWE’S gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to drop by 3% as the agricultural sector, which the country’s economy relies on, bears the brunt of the adverse effects of the prevailing El Niño-induced drought, it has been revealed.

Poor rainfall during the 2023/24 agricultural season led to poor crop yields with the Grain Marketing Board indicating that the country’s grain reserves are almost exhausted and will not carry the country to June this year.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since declared the drought a state of national disaster with government this week announcing that efforts to mobilise food aid had begun.

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