El Niño conditions have caused the lowest recorded rainfall between October and December across many regions of Southern Africa in at least 35 years. Short-term forecasts from January to March indicate the high probability of continuing below-normal rainfall in the south, signaling that this could become one of the worst droughts on record. The current growing season (October 2015-April 2016) is developing under the peak of the El Niño, with the first phase of the growing season characterized by severe and widespread rainfall deficits. El Niño’s impact on rain-fed agriculture is severe. Poor -rainfall, combined with excessive temperatures, create conditions not conducive for crop growth. Although El Niño’s impact on people’s livelihood varies according to preparedness and response capacities, rain-dependent small holder farmers— comprising at least 50 percent of the population in Southern Africa–are the hardest hit. In Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, delayed planting of up to two months or more, severely impacts maize yields. As the window for planting closes, even good rainfall offers limited scope for recovery.