Zimbabwe, as is well known, has been suffering from excruciating economic crises for the past two decades. This was attributed to changes in land reform legislation that occurred in the year 2000, which resulted in the land-grab from predominantly white Zimbabweans who were large-scale farmers and contributed to the country’s status as Southern Africa’s breadbasket. Changes in land reform caused the Zimbabwean economy to collapse as the EU and US were prompted to retaliate by imposing harsh economic sanctions on the country. This resulted in a significant drop in farm output, resulting in food insecurity, starvation, and famine.
The current Zimbabwean government is on a mission to restore the country’s former glory by attracting young and educated Zimbabweans from the diaspora, as well as white Zimbabwean farmers who fled the country after their land was seized two decades ago. This will be accomplished thanks to recent changes in their land reform legislation, which includes a promise to provide a 99-year land lease exclusively for agricultural purposes. The good news is that there is no limit to how much hectorage a citizen can lease; however, farming activity must begin within two years of signing the lease agreement, or the land will be taken back by the government. These changes were appealing, prompting Zimbabweans in the diaspora to leave their high-paying corporate jobs and return home to start farming businesses. This is evident in social media posts, particularly from young educated Zimbabweans who are engaged in farming and are wearing boots and getting dirty in the name of production. They primarily grow crops such as bird’s eye chili, sweetcorn, avocados, blueberries, mangoes and produce pork, lamb meat and fish amongst others for export, which is accomplished through the acquisition of an export license.
Changes in land reforms, on the other hand, have had a positive impact on the country’s GDP, with agriculture accounting for approximately 17% of the total. Agriculture remains the majority of the population’s primary source of income, and its performance is a key determinant of rural livelihood resilience and poverty levels (Source: FAO). Zimbabwe is Africa’s largest tobacco grower and the world’s sixth largest, according to the International Trade Administration. Tobacco farming is a major agro-industry in the country, accounting for US$782 million in foreign exchange and 9% of total exports in 2020. Tobacco sales increased by more than 200 million kilograms in the previous year, owing to good rains and a 13% increase in global tobacco prices. China is their largest export market, accounting for 54 percent of purchases in 2015. Another incentive provided by the Zimbabwean government was the launch of a program known as ‘Pfumvudza,’ which translates to ‘Master Farmers Revolution.’ It is a program that promotes climate-smart agricultural practices and conservation agriculture in accordance with FAO guidelines. It provides financial assistance to young farmers who use climate-resilient farming techniques to make the most of limited land (Source:www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine).
Zimbabwe is reclaiming its title as the “breadbasket of Southern Africa” thanks to its attractive agricultural policies. This time, however, not only Africa, but the entire world, is witnessing its restoration. I imagine Zimbabwe as a mother pleading with her children to return home after they have self-exiled, or, more accurately, as a biblical story about returning to the Promised Land and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. With passionate Zimbabwean farmers, I guarantee that the country will return to its former glory in the next 20 years.
