Zimbabwe targets idle farms in nationwide land audit

THE Government is preparing to launch a nationwide land audit targeting underutilised farms, multiple farm ownership and irregular land allocations as authorities intensify efforts to restore order and improve agricultural productivity.

Vangelis Haritatos, the Minister of Lands and Rural Development, said the audit will use modern technologies including remote sensing, drones and digital mapping systems to verify land ownership, productive use and legality of allocations across the country.

"Underutilisation, multiple ownership and irregular allocations will be addressed because land is a finite national resource that must be productively used," Haritatos said.

"A structured land audit will be conducted using tools such as remote sensing and drone verification to establish factual evidence on land use, legality and allocation status."

According to the minister, satellite imagery and aerial drone surveys will help authorities assess farming activity, identify idle land, detect illegal settlements and verify whether allocated land is being utilised productively.

Officials say the technology will also improve accuracy in resolving boundary disputes and matching physical land occupation with official records.

Haritatos said the exercise would be conducted fairly and would not target farmers affected by genuine operational challenges such as drought or financing constraints.

"The process will be fair and will not target farmers affected by genuine challenges such as drought or lack of finance," he said.

"However, where land is found to be unjustifiably idle, intervention may include repossession or downsizing."

He stressed that the objective was to maximise productive land use rather than punish struggling farmers.

Government is also accelerating efforts to issue title deeds to farmers as part of broader agricultural reforms aimed at improving security of tenure and unlocking financing opportunities.

Haritatos said secure land tenure was central to increasing investment and productivity in the agricultural sector.

"Title deeds are intended to boost farmer confidence, stimulate investment and unlock value through resource mobilisation, partnerships and a range of financing opportunities," he said.

He added that the Ministry would prioritise farms with clean, surveyed and dispute-free records while strengthening verification systems and digital land databases.

"Systems will also be strengthened to ensure title deeds are supported by credible surveys, clear boundaries, accurate records and secure digital data, because a deed is only as useful as the integrity of the land information behind it," he said.

The minister also warned against illegal land allocations commonly known as "sabhuku deals", describing them as a serious governance problem.

"Land allocation must remain legal, orderly and accountable," Haritatos said.

"No village head, land baron or official has the authority to sell State land."

He said Government was working with the Zimbabwe Land Commission, rural district councils, traditional leaders, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Local Government to clamp down on illegal land parcelling and fraudulent sales.

Measures include spatial mapping of approved land-use plans and public awareness campaigns warning citizens against purchasing illegally allocated land.

Haritatos also reaffirmed Government's commitment to compensating former white commercial farmers under the 2020 Global Compensation Deed valued at approximately US$3.5 billion.

He said the compensation programme, which covers about 4 000 former farmers, was being implemented in line with constitutional obligations and broader economic re-engagement efforts.

"This process does not reverse land reform, which remains irreversible," he said.

"It is aimed at settling historical obligations, strengthening international reengagement and reducing uncertainty in the agricultural sector."