Tinaye Agere
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Government has finalised arrangements with local financial institutions to offer mortgages for beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme to purchase agricultural land.
This initiative is meant to bolster tenure security and create a structured land market while ensuring Government oversight in land transactions.
Under the new framework, farmers will have access to generous terms for purchasing land, with pricing linked to agro-ecological regions.
Land in Regions One and Two, known for higher rainfall, will cost more per hectare compared to that in drier areas like Region Five.
Additional factors such as proximity to towns, land improvements and water resources will also influence valuations.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has made arrangements with financial institutions to offer mortgages for purchase of agricultural land,” said Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka.
“Once agreed, landowners will receive title deeds, which will be issued against full payment or mortgage with CBZ, FBC, AFC and POSB.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, where land in Regions One and Two with higher rainfall costs more per hectare compared to land in areas with lower rainfall potential such as Region Five.
“Furthermore, and secondary, specific land values will be determined by land-use classification, proximity to towns, presence of a river or dams and land improvements, among others.
“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.”
More than 2 500 beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme are set to be issued with title deeds over the next three months, marking the commencement of a historic initiative aimed at enhancing security of tenure and unlocking economic potential for landowners.
President Mnangagwa recently launched the Land Tenure Implementation Programme at Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe, where 10 title deeds were issued to farm owners who benefitted from the land redistribution programme. In total, more than 366 000 farmers who have received land since 1980 will be progressively granted title to their land holdings over the next 18 months.
Spearheaded by the Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC), the programme seeks to transition land currently held under 99-year leases, offer letters and permits into bankable, registrable and transferable titles.
These title deeds will enable farmers to use their land as collateral for loans, boosting access to financing and enhancing productivity.
With the Department of Deeds and Intellectual Property capable of processing 1 000 title deeds per day, it is envisaged that all A1 and A2 offer letters and 99-year leases will be converted to deeds of transfer within 18 months.
A deed of transfer is a legal document that officially records the transfer of ownership of a piece of property from one party to another.
In the context of land or real estate, it serves as proof of ownership and is registered with the appropriate government authority, such as a deeds office or land registry.
This development is expected to increase agricultural land’s attractiveness for investment while ensuring strict controls over its ownership and transfer.
To safeguard Zimbabwean ownership of agricultural land, the programme will prohibit the transfer of land titles to non-nationals.Under the new arrangement, the Government holds the first right of refusal when agricultural land is offered for sale, ensuring that land transactions align with national priorities and safeguards public interests.
Only after receiving a certificate of no present interest from the Government can the property be freely sold, protecting both buyers and sellers.
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