Gender, Politics and Land Use in Zimbabwe 1980-2012

Abstract

Background to the Study Organisation of the BookThis monograph consists of seven chapters. Chapter One focuses on the background to the study. In the chapter, the authors give a synopsis of the Land Question in Southern Africa, achievements and challenges in agrarian reforms. The authors also contextualise the research problem. The statement of the problem, research questions, objectives, justification, limitations and delimitations of the study are discussed. Key concepts are defined and a general overview of the methodology provided. In Chapter Two, the authors discuss the research method and design which informed the study. The literature review consists of four chapters, divided as follows: Chapter Three focuses on the political economy of Zimbabwe dating back to the pre-colonial era, culminating into the Lancaster House Agreement. The authors are of the view that the centrality of land is illuminated in the chapter. Chapter Four surveys Zimbabwe's agrarian reforms. Pre-Fast track and Fast Track are discussed. Precursors to the Fast Track Agrarian Reforms are also highlighted. Chapter Five discusses Gender and Land Politics in Zimbabwe. Emphasis is on trying to unravel gender relations in ownership and use of land in Zimbabwe from a historical perspective. Research findings, presentation, discussion and interpretation of findings are the focus of Chapter Six. In Chapter Seven, the authors summarise the study, draw conclusions, highlight study limitations and make recommendations.

Satisfaction of Restituted Farms Beneficiaries with Performance of Farms in Waterberg District, South Africa

“…Many countries such as Brazil, India, Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa have implemented land reform policies and programmes to address challenges like poverty, inadequate agricultural farm performance and inequality, especially in rural areas (Luwanda & Stevens, 2015). In support of the above statement, Mafa, Gudhlanga, Manyeruke, Matavire, & Mpofu (2015) indicate that land is very important because it is the core for agricultural production in the sub-region. As such disadvantaged people deserve agricultural land.…”

The impact of colonial and contemporary land policies on climate change adaptation in Zimbabwe’s communal areas

“…Over the years, white commercial farmers used to benefit from massive government investments to support their production. This support came in different forms ranging from infrastructural development, access to lines of credit and agricultural markets (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;Potts 2010). On the other hand, lands in Buhera are poor, continuously subject farmers to unreliable rainfall patterns of below 450 mm per year and expose farmers to growing low-value crops (Chingarande et al 2020;FAO 2006).…”

“…Historically, these were Tribal Trust Lands that accommodated African farmers who lost their lands to the Europeans during the colonial era. Despite all the financial and technical support that was offered to white farmers, no http://www.jamba.org.za Open Access meaningful development and investments were done in African farming areas (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;Potts 2010).…”

“…Unfortunately, African farmers being the custodians of this land were never consulted in the identification and distribution of their land. As a result, hundreds of thousands of African farmers lost their land and settled in native reserves, which 'generally had poorerquality land' and isolated from the country's economic hubs (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;World Bank 2019b). Studies (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;Palmer 1977) show that these colonial policies were meant to suppress production in 2.There are five AERs in Zimbabwe classified according to their soil quality, rainfall and temperature conditions.…”

“…As a result, hundreds of thousands of African farmers lost their land and settled in native reserves, which 'generally had poorerquality land' and isolated from the country's economic hubs (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;World Bank 2019b). Studies (Kramer 1997;Mafa et al 2015;Palmer 1977) show that these colonial policies were meant to suppress production in 2.There are five AERs in Zimbabwe classified according to their soil quality, rainfall and temperature conditions. AER I and II are intensive farming regions with annual rainfalls of >1000 mm and 750-1000 mm, respectively; AER III is a semi-intensive farming region with an annual rainfall of 650-750 mm; AER IV is a semi extensive farming region with annual rainfall of 450-650 mm and AER V is an extensive farming region with annual rainfall of ≤ 450 mm (Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO] 2006).…”