Climate change and variability have undermined efforts to meet the livelihood needs of vulnerable smallholder communities in Africa. In Zimbabwe, increased frequency of drought, flash floods and unpredictable rainfall have resulted in recurrent food deficits for poor households who depend on rainfed farming on nutrient-poor soils. Despite global advances in agricultural technologies and markets, smallholder farmers in Africa continue to face shortages of seed, mineral fertilizers and agrochemicals that could help them achieve food self-sufficiency. They often depend on external food aid, which has not effectively targeted the most vulnerable households while weakening local safety nets.