CHIPINGE, Zimbabwe — Gertrude Siduna seems disinclined to embrace the upcoming corn farming season.


Instead of prepping her arid land in Zimbabwe’s southeast Chipinge district for the crop that has sustained her family for generations, the 49-year-old has redirected her focus toward growing chilies. Having faced numerous droughts that have devastated her corn yields, she remains optimistic about the profitability of her new venture.


“I harvest my chilies and sell them at a nearby processing center,” she explained. With earnings nearing $400 from her drought-resistant crop, Siduna intends to continue cultivating chilies. “Chilies are significantly better than corn.”


Siduna’s shift towards chili farming began a year ago after participating in a climate-smart agriculture program supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development. This initiative is aimed at bolstering the resilience of smallholder farmers to the droughts caused by climate change, a situation forcing many to rely on government or international aid. Nevertheless, as climate-related issues worsen throughout the globe, both government bodies and local organizations are working to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of aid efforts.


Experts argue that wealthier nations, particularly the United States, must take responsibility for funding humanitarian initiatives in countries where the impacts of climate change are most severe.


The U.S. stands as the largest contributor of international food aid, assisting over 60 million individuals across approximately 70 nations annually through direct food provision or programs facilitating farmers’ adaptation to extreme weather. According to USAID’s climate strategy report, the agency has plans to allocate $150 billion toward climate-related initiatives.


In Zimbabwe, nearly 7.7 million people—almost half of the population— are in need of food assistance, as reported by both government and UN estimates. Persistent droughts have severely hampered people’s ability to sustain themselves, a trend exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.


Shifting Focus from Corn to New Crops


Traditionally, water-intensive white corn has been the preferred staple among rural Zimbabwean farmers since its introduction in the 17th century.


Nevertheless, as drought impacts escalate, some farmers, like Siduna, consider purchasing the staple instead of growing it.


“I don’t lack cornmeal. I simply use my earnings from chilies to buy it from the local stores,” she remarked.


In contrast to corn, chilies thrive in hotter, drier conditions. Furthermore, as they often make their way into retail environments in the United States, they prove to be more financially rewarding.


“You have to keep praying for rain when you cultivate corn,” added Siduna, mother of three. “The strain of heat is too much for corn. However, chilies can withstand it. One can be confident of a harvest, and the market is readily available.”


Other resilient crops, such as millets—which are tolerant of poor soils and harsh climates—are gaining traction within climate resilience programs as well.


In Chiredzi, southeastern Zimbabwe, 54-year-old Kenias Chikamhi likened corn farming to “a gamble” and remarked that millets provide “a better chance of yielding something.” Historically, millet was the country’s staple before maize’s introduction.


However, corn has not entirely been abandoned. Zimbabwe’s agriculture ministry outlines plans to expand land dedicated to maize to 1.8 million hectares (4.4 million acres). This strategy includes innovative farming practices such as digging holes in dry land, mulching, and planting drought-resistant varieties capable of thriving amid reduced rainfall.


This year, the country harvested approximately 700,000 tons of corn—70% less than the previous season and significantly below the annual requirement of 2 million tons for both people and livestock.


Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity


Farming methods are evolving as well.


Another USAID initiative has transformed a community garden in Mutandahwe village, where Siduna resides, through the installation of three solar panels. These panels pump water from a borehole into storage tanks, which feed into garden taps, creating a flourishing vegetable garden amidst the surrounding arid landscape.


Solar-powered community gardens are proliferating across the district and in many dry regions of the country.


“We struggled to walk long distances to get water from rivers, and many of them have dried up,” shared Muchaneta Mutowa, the garden’s secretary. The plot is cultivated by 60 members, each growing vegetables for personal consumption and sale.


“Now we have easy access to reliable water, and we don’t have to pay for sunlight,” she added. The revenue from selling vegetables significantly contributes to essential family expenses like school fees.


Each member contributes a dollar to a savings pool, which can be utilized for lending with small interest or covering minor repairs, “so we are not solely dependent on donors,” stated Mutowa.


Enhancing the Effectiveness of Aid Programs


Given the significant impact of USAID’s investments on recipient nations, it’s crucial for those efforts to be carried out effectively, according to Lora Iannotti, a professor focusing on global maternal and youth nutrition.


Historically, wealthier nations like the U.S. have often relied on direct donations of surplus staple crops—staffed by domestic farmers—as a means to aid, according to Iannotti’s research.


Although Iannotti acknowledges some improvements in food aid regarding dietary diversity, she believes room for enhancement remains. Issues of undernourishment have surged post-COVID-19 and have been intensified by climate-related challenges, which reveal crises reminiscent of conditions faced a century ago.


Daniel Maxwell, a food security professor at Tufts University, emphasizes the need for donor countries to implement strategies that address the underlying causes of hunger, whether they stem from climate change, conflict, or other issues. He also advocates for a more holistic approach that includes initiatives focused on health, protection from violence, and nutrition.


USAID and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have yet to disclose how upcoming policy changes may influence food aid operations under the incoming U.S. administration. However, delays in reauthorizing the expired Farm Bill affect various USDA programs, including food aid initiatives, as pointed out by Alexis Taylor, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.


The U.S. Government Accountability Office has conducted reports revealing that USAID and its partner agencies must enhance their evaluation methods to better assess program outcomes.


USAID is reportedly collaborating with GAO to address its recommendations, with six out of eight recommendations closed satisfactorily. The remaining recommendations are slated for resolution with the latest Global Food Security Strategy Implementation Plan’s release in October, according to a USAID spokesperson.


“We are using significant taxpayer money from the U.S.,” remarked Chelsa Kenney, GAO’s director for international affairs. “It is essential to ensure that we responsibly utilize these funds to implement effective programs in these nations.”