Land Reform in Zimbabwe : Constraints and Prospects

Land ownership, and rights of use of land, have been central issues for many countries throughout history, and for many are also issues of the day.

In Zimbabwe, for the first ten years after independence in 1980, land redistribution was limited largely to that occurring on a "willing-buyer, willing-seller" basis (as defined by the Lancaster House Agreement).

During this time some three million hectares of commercial farmland was purchased by the government at market value, assisted by grants from the UK government.

Some 52,000 families, focusing on the landless and poor from overpopulated and environmentally degraded communal land, but also some war veterans, were resettled.

There was considerable controversy surrounding this process and its management, as to whether the intended objectives were being fulfilled, the slow pace at which reform was proceeding, and the means by which the processes in place were enhancing or undermining economic and environmental development and stability.

Many of these issues are addressed in this text.