Zimbabwean black farmers with land grabs are now allowed to sell their properties. Image: Getty images.
Zimbabwe’s government is changing the leases for black farmers who got land over 20 years ago. Now, they can sell their land or use it as a loan guarantee. This change gives them more security and rights to the land they own.
Zimbabwe Government Confirms Land Tenure ReformÂ
According to the information received by reporters from Minister Jenfan Muswere, all land owned by beneficiaries of the land reform program under 99-year leases, offer letters, and licenses will now be held under a bankable, registrable, and transferable more secure certificate of tenure issued by the government.
This change was announced at a meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, on Tuesday. Previously, farmers were unable to sell or utilize their land as a loan guarantee.
The land was taken from white commercial farmers in 2000, when Robert Mugabe was president. The government approved this action, saying it was needed to fix the problems left by colonial times.
A thriving farming sector that used to export tobacco and roses and produce most of the country’s food fell apart, leading to regular food shortages, the highest inflation in the world, and a destroyed manufacturing industry. What was once one of Africa’s wealthiest countries became one of its poorest.
This policy had affected around 4,500 white-owned properties and those protected by government agreements.
The Southern African country has now agreed to pay $3.5 billion in compensation to the white commercial farmers.
According to Muswere, the current steps will have a significant impact on our economic growth, unlocking the full worth of the land while improving the performance of our economy. He further asserted that this will enable increased investments in agricultural and other value chains, such as irrigation, dam construction, power supply, and rural road construction.
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