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Will farmers purchase the land and how are the land values determined?
Farmers will have very generous terms and options to purchase the land.
The value attached to the land is primarily according to the agro-ecological region. Land in Regions One and Two, which are marked by higher rainfall, costs more per hectare compared to land in areas with lower rainfall potential such as Region Five.
For instance, a hectare in Region One could be worth US$500 or the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) equivalent, while a hectare in Region Five could cost US$100 or the ZiG equivalent.
Furthermore, and secondarily, specific land values will be determined by land use classification, proximity to towns, presence of rivers or dams and land improvements, among other factors.
Traditional methods of farm valuation and sales have been thoroughly examined and the present system adopted is heavily discounted to allow every farmer an opportunity to opt to purchase the land.
Who qualifies for issuance of title deeds?
Every citizen of Zimbabwe who holds an offer letter, permit or lease for agricultural purposes.
A very thorough screening process has been activated to weed out non-genuine permits and leases.
What is the process for issuance of title deeds?
This is an automatic process where everyone with a permit or lease or offer letter now qualifies to get a title deed.
The database of land holders will be used with sufficient verification to issue title deeds. The surveyed land with 99-year leases will be prioritised.
Agreement of sale forms are signed by the applicant and the minister responsible for lands.
Thereafter, the application is submitted to the Deeds Registry for registration through Government conveyancers.
How can one finance the payment of purchase price?
The Government of Zimbabwe has made arrangements with financial institutions to offer mortgages for purchase of agricultural land.
Once agreed, landowners will receive title deeds, which will be issued against full payment of mortgage with the selected banks. The banks shall be making separate announcements.
Can the title deeds be issued to individuals only or jointly with spouses?
The title deeds can be issued either to individuals or jointly to spouses.
Companies and family trusts will not be considered for issuance of this new tenure document to ensure that “the one family, one farm principle” is adhered to as required at law.
How can you request title survey of your farm?
An individual can request a farm title survey through their provincial lands office.
Surveyors will then be dispatched to survey the farm.
However, it should be noted that when the survey is conducted, it will cover the whole farm and not an individual subdivision.
This, therefore, implies that agricultural land holders should organise themselves for their farm to be surveyed.
An alternative being investigated is use of the current base farm survey map to obviate the need for such additional survey for purposes of issuance of a title.
The public will be updated on this important alternative route.
How will one dispose of land after being issued with a title deed?
The Government will have the first right to refusal to purchase the land, when the property is offered for sale.
The Government will issue a “certificate of no present interest” to ensure that the property is free for sale, thereby protecting buyers and sellers.
How can holders of leases with an option to purchase under the small-scale commercial farming scheme (matenganyika) and commercial farms qualify for title deed issuance?
Such farmers can immediately approach their respective provincial land offices or provincial director — Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services — with a copy of their lease, proof of full payment of purchase price and copies of national identity cards.
Online Reporter