Across the vast landscapes of Southern Africa, agriculture has always been rooted in nature’s rhythms. Rainfall, soil texture, temperature, and terrain have long determined where crops grow best, which farming systems thrive, and how food is produced and sustained. These factors are traditionally captured through Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) — critical tools that guide planning, input application, land suitability assessments, and climate adaptation strategies.
But as the climate shifts, soils degrade, and agricultural systems evolve, so too must the frameworks that underpin them. The reality is sobering: many of Southern Africa’s AEZ maps are no longer fit for purpose. Developed decades ago using outdated methodologies and parameters, they are increasingly out of sync with current environmental and agricultural conditions.
It is in this context that a transformative regional agenda is taking shape — one that seeks to redefine agro-ecological zoning across the SADC region to align with modern realities and drive resilience in food systems.