Story by Tendai Munengwa
THE success of the Land Reform Programme is on show at various farms across the country, with the Presidential Title Deeds Programme launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year coming as a major boost towards productivity.
The land question was the centre of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and the Third Chimurenga at the turn of the millennium was a giant step towards correcting the colonial imbalances in which the white minority farmers owned 70 percent of productive land in the country.
It is against this background that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is leading by example with his Precabe Farm in the Midlands province turning out to be a great symbol towards fulfiling the main objectives of independence.
“We have fought for the land, many sacrificed their lives and now it is in our hands. Let us make sure that every one of us who benefitted under the Land Reform Programme fully utilise it. We are leading the way and the youths who are the future generation must follow. We are moving into the final lap to give you title deeds to ensure that you become rightful owners of the land,” the President said.
Many farmers are following the footsteps of the President, with Cde Solomon Ganye on the outskirts of Harare celebrating the fruits of independence through productivity after diversifying into dairy, small livestock, horticulture and production of special crops like seed tobacco.
“These are the benefits we are acquiring from attaining independence. We got the land and we are doing wonders. We have a Dairy project, special crops like seed tobacco, horticulture and small livestock. We thank our President for launching the Title Deeds Programme,” he said.
President Mnangagwa last year launched the title deeds programme to ensure full ownership of land by indigenous farmers and access to financing, which is key to productivity.
Another farmer, Mr Stanely Katsande is also upbeat that the title deeds will unlock economic value and confidence to thousands of land reform beneficiaries.
“The issuance of deeds is a milestone achievement in the history of our independence,” he said.
Youthful farmers like Aaron Ganye expressed their preparedness to keep the fire of independence burning through massive maize production.
“Our fathers have fought and acquired land for us. We are learning the curves and I want to applaud the President for incentivising the youth as future farmers. The tractors and combine harvesters he availed must come to productive youths,” Ganye said.
A Youths Agriculture Mechanisation Scheme has also been launched, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa paying half of the total value of tractors and combine harvesters, which were distributed to youths from across the country this Wednesday.
This year, the country celebrates 45 years of independence in Gokwe and the high production levels being demonstrated by black farmers resonates well with this year’s theme: Zim @45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030.
