After-action review of the early warning messaging activity under the Scaling up Early Warning and Anticipatory Action for Agriculture and Food Security project (EWAA) in Zimbabwe

This review details the achievements and progress of the Scaling up Early Warning and Anticipatory Action for Agriculture and Food Security Project (EWAA) in integrating an early warning system into the longer-term resilience project. In collaboration with the Enhanced Resilience for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe Project (ERVHIZ), the project broadcasted early warning and short-range forecasting information to farmers in Gwanda, parts of Matobo and parts of Beitbridge. During the 2021/22 agricultural season, farmers and households in the target wards received early warning and weather forecast messages twice a week to coincide with the Meteorological Services Department’s three-day forecasting period.

The review found favorable responses from the participants. One participant noted that they were able to receive weather information in their preferred languages, enabling them to better understand the upcoming conditions. Farmers were also able to plan short-term farming practices, adjusting fertilizer use or harvesting times in anticipation of forecasted weather. Participants noted that, generally, their experiences of daily weather conditions matched the message alerts that had been sent. In total, 13,790 recipients received messages via different formats.