The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
Correspondent
AFTER about 110 years of white hegemony over their land, the Svosve villagers, domiciled in the semi-arid belt of Mashonaland East, marched to nearby white- owned farms and occupied the land.
They did that without violence. As expected, the white commercial farmers tried to resist this, saying the law protected their property right.
Interestingly, as the Pioneer Column leaders parcelled out 3 000 acres of land to the white settlers in 1890, nobody thought of the indigenous people’s property rights.
In 2000, the Third Chimurenga started marking the return of the land to the blacks.
For a country that had been a net exporter of maize, many detractors feared that hunger would stalk the nation, and the breadbasket status would be lost forever.
However, baby steps towards sustainable food self-sufficiency had begun. Manicaland, and indeed the rest of the country, saw an unprecedented transfer of land to the indigenous people, notwithstanding the misconception that blacks could not produce at a commercial scale.
The misplaced thinking was that they should remain subsistence tillers of the land. Subsequently, more than 300 000 families benefited from the land reform programme.
From the Government’s side, inputs and implements were given to the new farmers.
Regrettably, a few unscrupulous ones among the lot sold the fuel, seed, fertiliser and other inputs which Government was painstakingly allocating them.
They believed it was profitable to sell them on the black market than investing in the soil.
But those who tilled the land are now out of the woods, vindicating Government’s wisdom to parcel out the land to the landless majority.
With the New Dispensation’s mantra of putting development at the center of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), farmers have been told to productively utilize the land or lose it.
The Middle Sabi took a positive turn-around after a number of A2 farmers entered into Government approved Joint Ventures (JVs).
These farmers had been allocated farms, yet they had no capital to embark on meaningful production.
Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, endorsed the agreements to safeguard the interests of the parties involved, and also ensure that there is transfer of practical skills to ensure continuity at the lapse of its tenure.
As part of the economic reform agenda, Government approved the JVs to encourage investment, foster skills, increase mechanisation and release finance for improving productivity.
Most of the farms, which are now part of JVs, had capacity utilisation of about 30 percent as farmers faced challenges of climate change, lack of financial and new technology injection to sustain productivity.
A JV is an agreement between the farmer and an investor where the former provides the land, buildings and fixed equipment, while the latter provides services like capital, labor, technology, machinery and management expertise.
It entails co-ownership of a business venture by the parties and sharing of financial risks, benefits and decision-making authority.
One such beneficiary is Cde Masversion Maoneke, a war veteran who dodged bullets during the war of liberation in Chipangayi, Chipinge.
His experience has proved that with determination and sound management, farming can be a lucrative venture.
Other farmers in Chipangayi partnered with investors to grow sugar beans, cotton and citrus fruits. The Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA) also entered into a joint venture with businessman, Mr Billy Rautenbach, resulting in the establishment of the GreenFuel ethanol plant at Chisumbanje.
On the other hand, macadamia farming has opened a new vista in Chipinge, with many indigenous farmers making a beeline to the bank as they reap rich rewards from the green diamond.
Plans are afoot to build a macadamia beneficiation plant in Chipinge, which will effectively grow the district and provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
Chipinge has all the five ecological regions, thereby resulting in household food self-sufficiency.
In the past, the district used to experience food insecurity, but today Chipinge farmers are now delivering grain to GMB depots as they have upped their ante. With the Pfumbvudza programme, thanks to Government, the future looks bright for the country’s farmers.
Under Pfumvudza, farmers get information on their soil’s nutrient status, along with recommendations the on appropriate dosage of nutrients required to improve its fertility.
Farmers are encouraged to conduct soil tests and apply lime and fertilisers as per the tests results’ recommendations Pfumvudza was formulated to enhance agricultural productivity in communal rain- fed areas by focusing on integrated farming, moisture conservation efficiency, soil health management and resource conservation.
On the plantations, Chimanimani farmers are partnering investors in the lucrative timber growing business.
With an enabling legislation, the Second Republic has removed the mistrust between commercial businesses and the locals to ensure that no one is left behind.
With the implementation of NDS1 gathering momentum, the agrarian revolution which started in 2000 will see a marked change in the industrial dynamics by 2030.
A shared vision will bring joy and success to every Zimbabwean.
As celebrations to mark 42 years of independence are on the horizon, it is time to reflect how you, as a Zimbabwean, are contributing to the fruits of Uhuru.
