Andrew
Debra Matabvu
THE Zimbabwe Land Commission (ZLC) has audited over 100 000 farms allocated to indigenous farmers during the land reform programme, as it seeks to identify underutilised and vacant farms.
Currently, the third and final phase of the Comprehensive National Agricultural Land Audit, which is also expected to expose multiple farm owners and those leasing farms without authorisation, is underway.
In total, 300 000 farms will have undergone inspection when the exercise concludes by year-end.
Inspectors from the ZLC are on the ground auditing farms in 38 districts under the $3,2 billion exercise, which started in 2018.
ZLC chairperson Commissioner Tendai Bare said all things being equal, the exercise will be completed this year.
“We have audited about 100 000 farms to date,” she said.
“With resources permitting, we are hoping to complete the exercise this year.
“The purpose of the audit is to reveal if there are abandoned, vacant or underutilised farms or multiple farm owners.”
Two years ago, President Mnangagwa ordered the land audit to be expeditiously completed to rationalise ownership and farm sizes.
It is believed that the exercise will free additional land for allocation to deserving Zimbabweans, including women and youths.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe says the audit will help boost production.
“The land audit will actually help the Government with ascertaining the actual number of individuals on the farms, addressing double allocations and underutilisation of farms,” he said.
“This will also help for planning purposes, especially the development of policies and partnerships.”
The first phase of the audit concluded that the agricultural sector was grossly underfunded and recommended the establishment of a Land and Agricultural Bank to facilitate funding for resettled farmers.
The Government has since established the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Land and Development Bank.
In addition, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has directed A1 and A2 farmers to submit annual productivity reports to ensure maximum land utilisation and identify underutilised farms.
Over 200 000 people are on the Government’s land allocation waiting list.
Online Reporter