Land reform and Black Farmers in Zimbabwe: a Study on Policy Visions and Historical Realities

Abstract

The economy of Zimbabwe depends on a stable agrarian growth. Agriculture contributes 11-14% of the country's GDP and contributes 33% of formal employment. On independence the Government of Zimbabwe inherited a skewed distribution of land, which favoured the white minority farmers. This necessitated a land reform programme. In addition to bringing about more equitable distribution of land, the land reform programme has the objective of ensuring a more efficient and rational structure of farming and natural resources, utilisation and higher labour absorption, which would reduce rural poverty. This study attempted to capture the realities of black farmers in Zimbabwe since the land reform programme using as a case study the Karoi district. The aim of the study was mainly to examine the extent to which black fanners have been able to access markets, credit facilities and infrastructure and also to investigate some of the problems these farmers encounter since land reform. Survey methods in the form of interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. The results show that the farmers have now adopted a market orientated type of farming. However they experience problems in credit, storage facilities and credit loans and, inputs that affect their farm productivity.