THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has offered to help the government develop a comprehensive land policy that will help unlock land value by May next year.
BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
This is in the aftermath of the country’s chaotic land reform programme in 2000, which led to the eviction of over 4 000 white commercial farmers to pave way for indigenous farmers, who are now battling to obtain title deeds for their allocated farms.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Friday, FAO’s programmes head, David Mfote, said the United Nations agency had set aside $63 000 for the programme under its country programming framework.
“We are working with the government through the ministry of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive national land policy that will unlock land value in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mfote said the UN agency in its B priority areas for Zimbabwe, will focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness under ZimAsset.
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The FAO support will focus on enhancing livelihoods, development and rehabilitation of smallholder irrigation schemes and support for smallholder livestock programmes and disease control among other activities.
Meanwhile, the Italian Agency for Development and Co-operation on Thursday released $1 million towards drought mitigation projects in the arid Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
This came as more than four million people are reportedly facing acute food shortages following last summer season’s El-nino-induced drought.
“The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation is funding a drought mitigation project to cover districts in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces. This drought mitigation project is being implemented by FAO working in partnership with the government of Zimbabwe through the ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development,” FAO said in a statement.