99-year lease unattractive to former farmers

COMMERCIAL Farmers Union of Zimbabwe (CFU) has said that the country’s new 99-year lease document is voluminous about three times the length of Zambia’s equivalent, making it difficult to attract interest from former commercial farmers, who fled Zimbabwe during the fast track land reform.
CFU director Purcell Gilpin yesterday told delegates at the national consultative dialogue workshop that the new 99-year lease document will not enjoy a wholesale take up, but endure continued debate thereby foiling government’s thrust to entice the farmers who fled to Zambia.

“In this context, it is worth noting that around 450 former Zimbabwean farmers moved to Zambia since 2000, and with the provisions of that lease — which is market driven and transferable they have contributed significantly to agricultural sector growth and development,” he said.

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