Sorghum is an important food crop globally and a cornerstone of dryland food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, productivity in the region remains low due to limited technology adoption, climate change, and declining soil fertility. This chapter examined sorghum farmers’ production systems, trait preferences, and coping strategies in four major producing districts of Zimbabwe, with the aim of informing crop improvement in support of resilient food systems. A total of 146 farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations. The results revealed significant locational and gender disparities (p < 0.05) in the adoption of sorghum varieties, with a notable preference for open-pollinated varieties over hybrids and landraces. Farmers’ prioritized traits such as high yield, drought tolerance, early maturity, quality traits and resistance to birds and pests, traits that reflect both agronomic needs and food system demands. The seed system remains largely informal, with the dominance of unimproved seed. Extension agents were the primary sources of information. Farmers employ adaptive strategies including conservation farming, early planting, and crop diversification to cope with production challenges. The findings underscore the need to align sorghum breeding efforts with the broader food system, incorporating farmer preferences and local production realities into rapid crop improvement cycles that enhance food availability, cultural acceptability, and climate resilience in Zimbabwe’s dryland areas.