THE Government has warned individuals and companies illegally subdividing agricultural land that they face stern action.
This comes against the backdrop of allegations of the subdivision of six-hectare plots by some A1 beneficiaries into one-hectare pieces and their subsequent sale for amounts over US$600 in areas such as Zvimba and Beatrice, among others.
Lands and Rural Development Minister, Vangelis Haritatos, said any individual or company who attempted to subdivide agricultural land without the express authority of the Minister of Lands and Rural Development would be dealt with.
“Our ministry’s position remains that every piece of land in Zimbabwe has an optimal size when taking into consideration carrying capacity.
“While we want all land to be productive for our nation, we also cannot surpass the carrying capacity of that land,” he said.
Ideally, A1 plots are six-hectare land pieces and anything less than this is classified as being below standard levels, unsustainable, unviable and leading to diminishing returns through reduced productivity, degradation and soil damage.
The Government’s title deeds programme is aimed at turning land from a dormant possession into a living, working asset.
At full maturity, the initiative is projected to unlock as much as US$16 billion over the next two decades.
These funds will be channelled through an escrow account, ensuring transparency and strategic deployment.
Of the total, 22,5 percent will be set aside for compensation of former commercial farmers, as prescribed by law.
The balance will be directed towards reducing sovereign debt, upgrading infrastructure, funding agricultural loans and supporting war veterans and traditional leaders.
President Mnangagwa has deliberately eased the path for farmers by approving a 60 percent discount on land valuations.
The Government has adopted a new land tenure regime, in line with Section 292 — read together with Sections 289, 293 and 294 — of the Constitution that obligates the State to give security of tenure to every person to alienate for value addition land, among other requirements.
This process is being coordinated by the Office of the President and Cabinet, with the Cabinet Oversight Committee and Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC) put in place to supervise the programme.
President Mnangagwa launched the issuance of title deeds on December 20, 2024, in Kwekwe, with 10 farmers receiving their title deeds during the occasion.
Another 1 000 AI farmers were given title deeds in Mazowe.
Farmers are getting deeds of transfer, which bestow private ownership and full land rights to the beneficiary.
All land reform beneficiaries with valid tenure documents qualify for the issuance of title deeds.
An estimated 24 000 A2 and 360 000 A1 farmers are expected to get title deeds.
The Government has engaged the private sector to enhance the surveying of farms and has since embraced the use of modern technology to expedite the work.
LTIC established a one-stop centre at the Makombe Complex in Harare to ease the process for farmers seeking title deeds and they aim to decentralise to all provinces.
The centre has seven workstations,; Station 1 — Verification of farmer’s tenure documents, Station 2 — Zimbabwe Land Commission clears land disputes; Station 3 — Surveyor-General confirms survey status; Station 4 — Receipting of processing fees of US$10 and purchase price when paid, Station 5 — Completion of the title deed data form; Station 6 — Determination of the purchase price and Station 7 — Conveyancing (Agreements preparation and signing).-herald
