The Zimbabwean government is preparing to launch a nationwide land audit aimed at identifying underutilised farms, multiple farm ownership and irregular land a...
The Zimbabwean government is preparing to launch a nationwide land audit aimed at identifying underutilised farms, multiple farm ownership and irregular land allocations as authorities move to improve agricultural productivity and restore order in the land sector.
Vangelis Haritatos said the audit will rely on modern technologies such as remote sensing, drone verification and digital mapping systems to establish the legality, allocation status and productive use of agricultural land across the country.
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“Underutilisation, multiple ownership and irregular allocations will be addressed because land is a finite national resource that must be productively used,” Minister Haritatos said.
“A structured land audit will be conducted using tools such as remote sensing and drone verification to establish factual evidence on land use, legality and allocation status.”
According to the minister, the use of satellite technology and drones is expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the audit process while reducing disputes linked to land ownership and boundaries.
Remote sensing technology will allow authorities to monitor farming activity, crop production and land utilisation patterns using satellite imagery captured over time. Officials say this will help identify idle farms, illegal settlements and unauthorised land subdivisions.
Drones will also be deployed to capture high-resolution aerial images and real-time footage of farms in order to verify infrastructure development, irrigation systems, productive use and boundary locations on the ground.
Government says the technology will also assist in resolving land boundary disputes and checking whether land allocations correspond with official records.
Minister Haritatos stressed that the audit process would not unfairly target farmers facing genuine operational difficulties such as drought conditions, financing challenges or climate-related setbacks.
“The process will be fair and will not target farmers affected by genuine challenges such as drought or lack of finance,” he said.
“However, where land is found to be unjustifiably idle, intervention may include repossession or downsizing.”
“The guiding principle is maximum productive use of land, not punitive action for its own sake.”
The land audit forms part of wider government efforts to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen land administration systems and increase accountability in land allocation processes.
Authorities also confirmed that government is intensifying efforts to issue title deeds to farmers as part of broader agricultural reforms aimed at improving security of tenure and unlocking access to financing.
Minister Haritatos said secure land tenure remains critical for agricultural transformation and investment growth.
“Title deeds are intended to boost farmer confidence, stimulate investment and unlock value through resource mobilisation, partnerships and a range of financing opportunities,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development would prioritise the issuance of title deeds for farms with clean, surveyed and dispute-free records while strengthening verification and processing systems.
“The Ministry will focus on accelerating issuance by prioritising farms with clean, surveyed and dispute-free records, while speeding up processing, verification and distribution of tenure documents,” the minister said.
“Systems will also be strengthened to ensure title deeds are supported by credible surveys, clear boundaries, accurate records and secure digital data, because a deed is only as useful as the integrity of the land information behind it.”
The government also reiterated its intention to clamp down on illegal land allocations commonly referred to as “sabhuku deals”, where land is allegedly sold unlawfully by individuals without legal authority.
Minister Haritatos described illegal land sales as a serious governance issue and warned that no village head, land baron or public official has the authority to sell State land outside approved legal processes.
“Land allocation must remain legal, orderly and accountable,” he said.
“No village head, land baron or official has the authority to sell State land.”
Government said it is working alongside the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, traditional leaders, rural district councils, the Zimbabwe Land Commission and law enforcement agencies to verify allocations and enforce action against illegal land parcelling activities.
Measures being introduced include spatial mapping of approved land-use plans and public awareness campaigns aimed at warning citizens against purchasing illegally allocated land.
Minister Haritatos also reaffirmed government’s commitment to compensating former white commercial farmers under the 2020 Global Compensation Deed agreement valued at approximately US$3.5 billion.
The compensation arrangement covers about 4,000 former commercial farmers and forms part of government efforts to settle historical obligations linked to the land reform programme.
“This process does not reverse land reform, which remains irreversible,” the minister said.
“It is aimed at settling historical obligations, strengthening international reengagement and reducing uncertainty in the agricultural sector.”
The upcoming audit is expected to become one of the most significant land administration exercises undertaken in Zimbabwe in recent years as authorities seek to balance productivity, accountability and long-term agricultural development.
