10
The study recommends that: (a) all parastatal farms be privatized immediately; (b) government
should adopt stringent but realistic criteria for selecting farmers based on sound management, proven
track record in farming, solid financial base, and sound farm development plans; (c) land tenure
reforms should be implemented to permit private ownership, confer tenure security, and facilitate
transfers; (d) government should consider an economic ground rent (rates varying by agroecological
zone) to induce greater land utilization; and (e) government should establish a land agency to smoothly
handle land transfers.
The GRZ has also been identifying new farm land for agricultural expansion (table 1.6). In
Lusaka province, an area of about 30,000 hectares was identified along the Kafue Flats, but the land
base is fragile, requiring special management. The area in Central province east of Mukonchi,
according to the study, offers good scope for development. Two further areas south of Mkushi offer
good potential for development. Overall, the study concludes that about 1,470,000 hectares of new
land can be opened for agricultural production, and that some of these lands (79,384 hectares) are
currently being opened up for settlement with mixed success. Success, according to the study, usually
depends on the provision of basic infrastructure—roads, water, and utilities. Given the high level of
land underutilization already existing on state lands, the study concludes there is no immediate need
to identify new farm blocks, while the existing blocks—namely Mansha, Mkushi South, Mupamadzi
along the Tazara, the Mtirizi/Chipangali West in Eastern province, and Mukonchi East in Central
province—have high potential for development.
Table 1.6: New farm blocks and areas under development
|
New farm block |
Area (ha) | |
|
Gross Unde |
r development | |
|
Lusaka west, Lusaka province |
30,000 |
0 |
|
Mukonchi East Bank, Central |
28,000 |
0 |
|
province |
10,000 |
1,000 |
|
Mtirizi, Eastern province |
28,000 |
1,000 |
|
Chipangali West, Eastern province |
78,000 |
0 |
|
Cl: New Mkushi |
215,000 |
11,216 |
|
TZC2: Munte |
90,500 |
870 |
|
TZC3: Katikulula |
125,000 |
0 |
|
TZC4: Mupamadzi |
120,000 |
20,000 |
|
TZC5: Kanchibya |
100,000 |
28,798 |
|
TZC6: Mansha |
300,000 |
0 |
|
TZC7: Kasama |
65,000 |
0 |
|
TZC8: Mbala |
95,000 |
0 |
|
TZC9: Isoka Copperbelt province: |
22,000 |
4,000 |
|
Mpongwe |
30,000 |
10,000 |
|
Munkumpu |
30,000 |
0 |
|
Munkumpu South State Farm |
66,000 |
2,500 |
|
Mwinuna |
28,000 |
0 |
|
Lukanga North State Farm |
10,000 |
0 |
|
Mikata |
1,470,500 |
79,384 |
Total
Source: DHV Consultants BY, Netherlands, and Wood Consultants and Investments Ltd., Zambia, 1993.