UN Comes Out in Favour of Land Reform Process The Herald (Harare) February 20, 2002 Posted to the web February 20, 2002 Tim Chigodo NOW that there is a general consensus that land is at the core of Zimbabwe's problems, it is only prudent that the issue is hastily funded and resolved. The irreversible issue, which has already driven a wedge between Zimbabwe and its former colonial master, Britain, is aimed at economically empowering the disadvantaged landless black masses. According to a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme, families getting land under the Government's resettlement programme would certainly gain substantial asset base which will improve their welfare. The mission, which was in Zimbabwe to review the country's land reform programme in November last year, noted that peasants resettled in the 1980s had achieved higher crop yields, higher incomes and a higher level of well- being than those in crowded communal areas. The 55-page report highly commended the Government for providing $3 billion for land acquisition and infrastructural development under the Public Sector Investment Programme in the 2002 national budget. The amount was 50 percent more than the 2001 budget allocation. "Given that Zimbabwe still has the highest levels of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, the land reform programme needs to be implemented in a manner that will generate substantial increases in per capita income," the report said. Evidence from resettlement programmes in the eighties suggests that families can improve their welfare. Community support and participation would also enhance their prospects. The report, however, says improvements in welfare on a per capita basis would depend on whether family size changes or not. It should also not be overlooked that a drought would make the task of earning a higher income much more difficult, particularly in an environment in which off-farm income is scarce because of the weak economy. The UNDP mission recommended the establishment of an independent trust fund under its management to guarantee adequate funding and to mobilise various sources of support. Infrastructure The fund would provide resources for the resettlement process, including basic infrastructure on acquired land, equipment and tools, extension services as well as training and support to capacity building and technical assistance to the Government. It would also provide direct compensation to farmers for land acquired for resettlement and improvement, including infrastructure, as well as support for displaced farm workers. Although the report does not give figures for the proposed fund, the land reform programme was initially expected to cost over $40 billion in 1999. The figure is likely to be reviewed after the endorsement of the UNDP report by the Government. The mission acknowledged that the Government has the right to acquire land in the public interest and carry out the land reform programme. It recognised fully and appreciated the historical, social and political imperatives that have defined the need for land reform in Zimbabwe and set the pace for its implementation over the years. The report says there are many problems which the Government needs to resolve if the programme is to be efficiently and environmentally sustainable. The exercise was being hampered by suspicion and lack of information among the main stakeholders. Such an atmosphere had polarised the perception of land reform as a simplistic two-party battle between the Government and the large-scale commercial farmers, with all other stakeholders reduced to spectators in a wait-and-see attitude. "However, an essential prerequisite in the process of property acquisition by the State is the principle of fair compensation for land and improvements. Even the clearing and the physical development of soil is an improvement that needs to be given due weight in determining improved land values," says the report. The Government has made it clear that it will not pay for land as this was seized from the blacks without compensation by the white settlers. It will, however, pay for improvements, which include the buildings. Over 400 000 families have already been resettled on land acquired by the Government from minority white commercial farmers. The new farmers, who expected a bumper harvest, have had their hopes dampened by the impending drought. At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe inherited a racially skewed system of ownership of land. Under the system, the large-scale commercial farmers, consisting of 1 percent of the population, occupied 45 percent of the agricultural land. Another 6,3 million hectares were mainly public lands reserved for national parks and urban settlements. More than half of the large-scale commercial farms were in the areas of the country with high rainfall, where the potential for agricultural production was high. Over 35 percent of the large-scale farming land was either not being utilised or underutilised. Translocated Indigenous populations were translocated to marginal lands in the predominantly low-potential agricultural zones. The independence war was mainly fought for majority rule and land, resulting in more than 500 000 people perishing in the protracted war. Food security in the country became serious during the period from 2000 to 2001 due to the vagaries of weather, especially the lingering impact of Cyclone Eline in 1999-2000, and the erratic rainy season of 2000-2001. The cyclone left a trail of destruction of property, crops and livestock. Several people were displaced by the cyclone-induced floods. The HIV/Aids epidemic has also compounded the problem by reducing productivity on the farms. A crisis in itself, the epidemic amplifies the current humanitarian crisis across sectors of the economy. The impact of HIV/Aids is exacerbated by pervasive poverty and poor nutrition in the rural areas. The UNDP report said that substantial social and humanitarian problems were likely to face the fast-track resettlement exercise. The scourge presented Zimbabwe with one of its most formidable constraints to sustainable development. The events had resulted in two consecutive seasons of poor agricultural production in the most vulnerable areas of the country. The UNDP mission called for deliberate efforts in management of the land reform and resettlement process to anticipate and plan for the very seriously affected and vulnerable populations that is evident in the rural areas of the country. The matter is particularly crucial for farm workers, women and for people directly and indirectly affected by the devastation of the HIV/Aids epidemic among farming communities. Failure to take the necessary steps is bound to compound the poverty and food insecurity crisis already looming in the country. The disease is already taking away 2 000 lives a week. In an effort to lessen the suffering of those affected by the disease, including orphans, the Government has introduced an Aids levy to cushion them during difficult times. <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>