News / National
Govt confirms it will downsize A1, A2 farms
03 Aug 2014 at 15:05hrs | Views
The government says it will soon be embarking on a programme to downsize A1 and A2 farms as demand for land has risen with the waiting least soaring beyond 50000.
The Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed the development, saying the move has been necessitated by the need to accommodate others who need land.
The government has also resolved that it will no longer allocate land that exceeds the gazetted maximum farm size while consolidation of land has also been stopped.
The matter came to the fore at the official opening of the University of Zimbabwe International Lands Conference in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
Dr Mombeshora said his ministry has embarked on a land audit to establish the number of farms that have not been taken up, adding that it has been realised that some of the farmers are not fully utilising their land.
"Land issues have posed numerous challenges for my ministry and need to be handled in a manner that will avoid looming conflicts in many areas across the country," said Dr Mombeshora.
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor, Professor Levy Nyagura said the success of the land reform programme calls for the support of all sectors as land is the centre of the economy.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora expressed concern that only A1 farmers have been assisting schools in resettlement areas.
The conference revealed that despite challenges, tobacco production has this year increased to 213 million kilogrammes.
The Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed the development, saying the move has been necessitated by the need to accommodate others who need land.
The government has also resolved that it will no longer allocate land that exceeds the gazetted maximum farm size while consolidation of land has also been stopped.
The matter came to the fore at the official opening of the University of Zimbabwe International Lands Conference in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
Dr Mombeshora said his ministry has embarked on a land audit to establish the number of farms that have not been taken up, adding that it has been realised that some of the farmers are not fully utilising their land.
"Land issues have posed numerous challenges for my ministry and need to be handled in a manner that will avoid looming conflicts in many areas across the country," said Dr Mombeshora.
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor, Professor Levy Nyagura said the success of the land reform programme calls for the support of all sectors as land is the centre of the economy.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora expressed concern that only A1 farmers have been assisting schools in resettlement areas.
The conference revealed that despite challenges, tobacco production has this year increased to 213 million kilogrammes.
Source - zbc
