Story by Fungai Jachi
THE Government is accelerating the issuance of title deeds to more than 1 000 sugarcane farmers in the Lowveld, in a move aimed at strengthening land tenure security and boosting agricultural productivity.
The initiative is being implemented under the Farm Title Deed Programme, launched in 2024 to address land ownership and utilisation challenges in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
The programme seeks to transition beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme into formal landholders by issuing title deeds that provide security of tenure and improved access to financing.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, said Government is prioritising sugarcane out-growers in the Lowveld as part of efforts to enhance production and profitability in the sector.
“Here in Chiredzi, Hippo Valley and Triangle, about 1 200 farmers are beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programme, and we want to ensure that they receive title deeds so that they can enhance productivity and profitability,” Dr Masuka said.
“We want all sugarcane out-growers to have title deeds as quickly as possible. With title deeds, farmers can access loans and use them as collateral. Our aim is to accelerate the issuance process in order to improve sugarcane production.”
Dr Masuka also indicated that the Lowveld area is expected to receive a visit from the Presidency later this month as Government continues to assess progress in the agricultural sector.
Sugarcane out-growers have welcomed the development, saying access to title deeds will strengthen farmer confidence and open new opportunities for investment.
“This is a major milestone for us as farmers because without title deeds, you will be worried that you can be removed from the piece of land anytime,” sugarcane farmer, Collins Changamire noted.
“It was difficult to get loans because of a lack of surity so it affected our production, but when we are title deed holders, it will get better,” another farmer, Enoch Mutendi weighed in.
“I am sure that now we are going to increase production. It shows that the government has confidence in us as out-growers,” a farmer, Mr Francis Moyo added.
Government is rolling out the title deed programme to eligible A1 and A2 farmers, aiming to solidify land tenure, unlock agricultural investment, and enable access to bank credit. This is part of the Second Republic’s broader strategy to enhance operations in the agricultural sector.
