Zimbabwe’s farms remain vital to our economy – agriculture accounts for roughly 17–20% of GDP and supplies 60% of industrial raw materials. Yet climate and economic pressures are rising. Erratic rains and droughts have battered production; El Niño-related shocks cost Zimbabwe’s farmers an estimated US$1.5 billion over just three seasons. This volatility makes effective risk management more crucial than ever.
Insurance Innovation & Climate Risk
Climate extremes pose systemic threats, so innovative covers are key. Zimbabwe’s recent droughts even became a declared national disaster and excessive rainfall happens regularly this time of year. To protect farmers, index or parametric insurance (payouts triggered by measured weather or yield shortfalls) is gaining ground. Today, regulators and banks are advocating mainstreaming these tools – for example embedding weather cover into subsidy schemes and lending programs – to speed payouts and reduce losses.
Climate-driven crop damage (floods, droughts and storms) has become more common. By tying insurance to satellites and sensors (e.g. rain gauges or NDVI data), farmers get quick assistance when triggers hit, rather than waiting for complex loss assessments. This “data-driven” risk cover can cushion harvest shocks and help maintain credit flows. In short, Zimbabwean agribusinesses now have access to a richer toolbox: traditional multi-peril policies are easing in price, while index covers are being scaled up for resilient recovery.
Technology and Resilience
Modern agtech is further transforming risk management. Zimbabwe is investing in precision agriculture – for example, acquiring drones to map fields and optimise inputs. Such tools boost yields and can lower risk: drones spot pest hot spots or moisture deficits early, and sensors (soil, weather or livestock trackers) help farmers anticipate problems. Insurers value these advances: some offer premium discounts for farms using monitoring systems. Satellite-based forecasting and mobile apps make index insurance feasible at scale. In essence, the same technologies that improve productivity also provide the data to fine-tune coverage – reinforcing farm resilience and potentially reducing claims.
Action Steps:
We advise every agribusiness to review risk strategies now. Update valuations (farms often under-insured), work with carriers specializing in agriculture, and explore modern insurance tools. Minerva Risk Advisors is ready to help you align with these trends – securing the right protection so your farm can thrive even in a changing climate.
An effective plan begins with identifying and developing future leaders early. Mentorship, training, and exposure to different areas of the business prepare potential successors to step into senior roles with confidence and competence. This internal preparation should be supported by robust key-man insurance, which safeguards the company financially should it lose a critical team member.
Key-man cover can provide essential liquidity to recruit replacements, maintain operations, or reassure investors during periods of transition. Combined with structured succession planning, it helps prevent disruption, protects business value, and sustains confidence among employees, clients, and stakeholders.
Ultimately, succession planning is not just about preparing for the unexpected, it’s about future-proofing your business. By putting the right people, policies, and protections in place today, organisations can ensure stability and continuity for generations to come.
