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Agriculture Reporter
Some A1 and A2 farmers are embroiled in disputes over the use of existing farm infrastructure.
Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora confirmed the development in an interview with The Herald recently and said his ministry had received several reports on wrangles over farm property.
He said many cases were coming from the A1 sector where farmers were fighting over the use of irrigation, tobacco curing and storage facilities.
“It is clear that property on A1 farms belongs to Government. Anyone willing to use the property should apply for lease from the ministry and no one should use the infrastructure without a licence,” he said.
In some cases, the infrastructure is vandalised as some farmers remove roofing material and irrigation pipes.
Minister Mombeshora said A1 farmers should not destroy property or remove it from the farms as Government would consider the existing infrastructure when compensating former commercial farmers.
“Property on A2 farms belongs to the resettled farmers. It is illegal for anyone else to come and use the property without the owner’s consent.
“When issuing out the 99-year leases we consider the value of the assets at the farm to calculate the amount of money to be paid by the holder,” he said.
The minister said some farmers were reporting their disputes to the ministry yet there were offices to deal with the matters at district and provincial levels.
He said only those matters that would have not been resolved at the provincial level would be dealt with at a national level.
The ministry would soon carry out awareness campaigns to educate farmers on the issue of boundaries and farm property which are the causes of most disputes.
He said the farmers would also be educated on dispute resolutions and the proper procedures to follow when faced with challenges.
Online Reporter