Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
FOR more than two decades, Zimbabwe’s land reform beneficiaries — especially A1 and A2 farmers — have grappled with a silent but crippling challenge: lack of secure land ownership documents.
Without a bankable title, these farmers have struggled to access credit, invest in infrastructure, or confidently plan for the future.
The launch of the new Land Tenure Documents by President Mnangagwa marks a decisive step towards unlocking this potential.
But what exactly are these documents, how do they differ from past arrangements like the 99-year lease, and why are they being rolled out now?
What is a land tenure document?
A land tenure document is a formal certificate that recognises a farmer’s legal right to occupy and utilise a piece of agricultural land.
For A1 and A2 farmers, this represents far more than paper—it is security. It means they can approach financial institutions with proof of tenure, unlocking access to credit and investment opportunities that were previously out of reach.
For ordinary farmers, the document is essentially their passport to bankable farming. It converts uncertainty into stability, giving them a stronger voice in negotiations with markets, contractors and even relatives who may contest land use.
The 99-year lease vs the new tenure document
The old 99-year lease introduced in the early 2000s was initially meant to provide tenure security, but it came with limitations. It was bureaucratic, difficult to transfer, and many banks considered it weak collateral because the Government still held overriding control.
By contrast, the new tenure document is simplified, standardised and bank-endorsed through the Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC). Unlike the 99-year lease, it is designed in consultation with financial institutions, making it truly usable in unlocking loans, inputs and long-term investment.
Climate risks and infrastructure gaps
Yet, tenure security alone is not enough. Climate vulnerabilities compound the challenges Zimbabwean farmers face. With increasing dryness and El Niño-induced droughts — such as in 2023/24 — dependence on rain fed agriculture has proven tenuous.
President Mnangagwa has repeatedly highlighted the importance of climate-smart practices, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation farming and irrigation development.
Yet, as of 2025, only 222 000 hectares were under irrigation — far short of the 496 000-hectare target set for 2030. Without addressing this gap, land tenure reform risks being a paper victory.
The productivity booster kit
Herein lies the significance of pairing tenure reform with infrastructure support. Each farmer receiving a new tenure document will also benefit from the Productivity Booster Kit, valued at US$6 000. This package comprises irrigation equipment — pumps, pipes and sprinklers—geared for installations on 1 to 3 hectares.
In Phase One, 10 000 A1 farmers are set to benefit, alongside 1 000 title deeds already handed out.
Crucially, the programme also establishes Technical Service Centres in each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces, managed by participating banks. These hubs provide tillage, extension services, harvesting equipment, mechanisation support and monitoring and evaluation.
This bundling of credit, infrastructure and technical services addresses the skill, equipment, and logistics gaps that have long hampered new farmers.
Why now?
The introduction of tenure documents comes against a backdrop of growing demand for agricultural financing, coupled with the Government’s commitment to Vision 2030.
Zimbabwe cannot industrialise, feed itself, or build strong value chains without enabling its farmers to invest with confidence. The 2023/24 drought underscored the urgency: farmers without irrigation or credit access were left vulnerable, forcing the State to increase grain imports.
By regularising land tenure and bundling irrigation support, the government aims to move beyond crisis responses towards structured resilience.
Where did the idea begin?
The push for bankable tenure started years ago, with farmers, economists and financiers warning that land reform would remain incomplete without usable documents.
Several pilot programmes — including the 99-year lease and the A2 offer letters — exposed the gaps.
Banks were reluctant to lend against insecure or non-transferable documents and farmers bore the consequences. President Mnangagwa’s government re-engaged stakeholders, leading to the formation of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC).
The role of the Land Tenure Implementation Committee
The LTIC is central to the process.
It was established as a multi-stakeholder body comprising government, banks, farmer unions and legal experts. Its role is to standardise the new tenure documents, ensure bankability and streamline issuance to avoid delays and corruption.
Importantly, the LTIC acts as the bridge between farmers and financial institutions. By certifying documents, it guarantees both sides: farmers gain credibility and banks gain security. It also monitors implementation, helping to resolve disputes and fine-tune the system as challenges arise.
Economic and social ripple effects
If properly implemented, the programme could be transformative. Launch estimates suggest that A1 farmers alone could produce over 10 million tonnes of cereal grain annually, contributing US$6.14 billion to agricultural GDP and adding US$1.59 billion in household disposable income.
Beyond output, the reform lays the foundation for rural industrialisation, value-chain development, and the economic dignity of farming. It aligns with the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (2020–2025), which envisions Zimbabwe as food-secure and upper-middle-income by 2030.
Addressing input gaps and incentives
Agriculture in Zimbabwe has long struggled with recurrent challenges around input access. Farmers often lacked collateral to borrow and those who qualified faced hurdles linked to gender, location, and education levels.
Research using models like the double-hurdle for loan participation showed that distance to markets, access to extension education, family size, gender and farmer type strongly influenced participation in state-supported schemes.
By distributing kits alongside tenure documents and providing decentralised service centres, the new programme directly addresses these barriers. It ensures that farmers are not only creditworthy on paper but also practically equipped to succeed.
A turning point
For the ordinary farmer, the new land tenure document is not just a piece of paper. It is the key to dignity, productivity, and resilience. For the nation, it marks a turning point—transforming land reform from a political act into an economic driver. By coupling tenure with infrastructure, technical support and credit access, Zimbabwe is rewriting its agricultural story.
And with the LTIC ensuring credibility, this time the promise of secure land is matched with the means to make it productive.
Online Reporter