Zimbabwe's fast track land reform programme and the decline in national food production : problems of implementation, policy and farming practices

Abstract

Since the FTLRP of 2000, Zimbabwe’s agriculture has been in a quandary, food production has been precarious, and a growing number or Zimbabweans are exposed to chronic food insecurity. This study examines the implications of the FTLRP on Zimbabwe’s national food production. The study focuses on the weaknesses in the FTLRP itself, disentangled from the myriad of other complexities surrounding the country. Through library-based research and case studies, the thesis argues that there were key weaknesses in the FTLRP that led to a precipitous fall in food production. Evidence shows that the FTLRP lacked a strong policy framework to oversee proper implementation of the land reform programme, resulting in a lack of planning, administration weaknesses, and failure of the government to ensure adequate post-settlement support and to provide secure farm tenure arrangements for the newly resettled farmers. This discouraged significant farm investments that could otherwise boost production.