By Effy Ncube
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is set to benefit from a transformative policy change spearheaded by His Excellency President Mnangagwa.
The new policy, which aims to improve the security of land tenure, was discussed in detail with Mrs. Barbra Machekano, the Deputy Director of Communications and Advocacy at the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
According to Mrs Machekano, the new title deeds will bring several significant benefits for both landowners and the country at large.
“The new title will allow landowners to secure financing for their agricultural activities, providing farmers with the option to leverage capital markets for agricultural development,” she explained.
The policy also enables farm subdivisions for inheritance, creates a new land market, and offers an exit strategy for farmers looking to leave the agricultural sector while recovering their investment.
These improvements go beyond the current lease and permit systems, which fail to address key issues like land ownership security and financing access.
The process of purchasing agricultural land has also been simplified, with farmers receiving generous terms and options to buy.
The value of land is determined by agro-ecological regions, with higher rainfall areas such as Regions 1 and 2 valued higher than drier areas like Region 5.
“For example, land in Region 1 may cost around US$500 per hectare, while land in Region 5 could be priced at US$100 per hectare,” Machekano explained.
Other factors like proximity to towns, presence of rivers or dams, and land improvements also play a role in determining land prices.
One of the key aspects of the new policy is the streamlined process for issuing Title Deeds. Zimbabwean citizens holding an offer letter, permit, or lease for agricultural purposes are eligible to apply.
“This is an automatic process where all eligible landholders will qualify for a title deed,” Mrs. Machekano noted.
The process is simplified, with title deeds being issued through the Deeds Registry after verification of landholder data.
Furthermore, financing for land purchases has been made more accessible. The government has partnered with financial institutions to offer mortgages to landowners, allowing them to pay for land over time.
“Once an agreement is reached, landowners will receive their Title Deeds once the purchase price is fully paid or financed through a mortgage,” Machekano stated.
Land ownership is also made more inclusive, with Title Deeds being issued either individually or jointly with a spouse. However, companies and family trusts will not be eligible for this new form of tenure in order to uphold the “one family, one farm” principle established by law.
For those seeking to have their farms surveyed for title deed issuance, individuals can request surveys through their Provincial Lands Office.
Surveyors will conduct a full farm survey, although there are plans to implement alternative methods using GPS coordinates to streamline the process.
The policy also includes measures for land disposal. If a landowner wishes to sell their land, the government retains the right of first refusal, issuing a “Certificate of No Present Interest” to ensure the land is free for sale, thus protecting both buyers and sellers.
Farmers under the Small-Scale Commercial Farming Scheme (Matenganyika) and other commercial farms can qualify for Title Deeds by approaching their local Provincial Land Office with their lease agreements, proof of full payment, and identification documents.
Those who have not completed payment can seek assistance from designated banks to settle any remaining balances.
With these developments, Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector stands to see a major boost in both security and access to resources, paving the way for a more dynamic and sustainable future in farming.
About Author
