Comments on: Lands and Agrarian Reform Policy – MDC

By: David Wheeler

David Wheeler — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:56:36 +0000

Apologies. I spoke in haste! This is not bad.
. The most important thing with land is to see that it is properly conserved and protected, so that future generations can still utilise and enjoy it. The next priority is to see that it is productive, and provides decent employment for as many people as possible.
Just to give an example my farm, Calgary, had 200 hectares of arable land. We employed 120 families and could provide maize meal for 6000 families each year â€“ not to mention wheat. Under its â€˜new managementâ€™ there about 6 men on the farm and they can hardly feed themselves.
Experience all over the world demonstrates that if one wants land to be looked after, then freehold title is the way to go. With freehold the owner knows that any care and improvements on his land will reflect in its value if and when he chooses to sell. Look how rented properties are treated compared with owned properties.
Government and the CFU did a thorough investigation on this issue in the 80s. I am sure that their report is still about somewhere.
In general we need small government and clear rules. Private industry reacts more swiftly and efficiently than government to rapidly changing circumstances and opportunities. The swiftest road to recovery would be to cancel the Z$ and bulldoze the customs posts!

Reply to this comment — Quote from this comment

By: Ozzie

Ozzie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:22:47 +0000

Opening reform policy goal - quote: 'Resolving the land question once and for all to ensure that no Zimbabwean will ever go hungry again'. This surely never was what the land question was about all along? It was about land-hungry not food-hungry.The latter actually resulted from the former. Ask the people, especially farm workers of bygone years.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: True Grit

True Grit — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:06:47 +0000

@ a Duoist, 9/8, 08.21 I visited your website and was much impressed. Did you know that the opening theme you use: Beethoven's fifth symphony, was the secret code of the Dutch resistance during WW2, in which my own father played an important part. I agree with much that you say regarding the true philosophy of freedom. I myself am a democratic liberal. I do not agree entirely with pure socialism which purports to be some kind of New Jerusalem. However, in this case, i.e. the Zimbabwe land reforms, I have to say that a new order of things is essential. It is surely not 'Marxian economics' for a democratic government to guide and steer a depressed sector, whether it be schooling, health services, or farming, or whatever, back to its full potential. Sometimes idealism gets in the way of pragmatism. I fear that you, with the best intentions naturally, may be making that mistake. Kind regards T.G.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: a Duoist

a Duoist — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:21:28 +0000

It is beyond rational belief that the MDC offers an agricultural policy certain to smash agricultural production in Zimbabwe. The massive Euro-Asian famines during the mid-20C of 50 million dead were entirely man-made, the result of forcing the ideal of "equality" to bolster farm productivity. Does anyone in Zim even read history, or understand basic macro-economics? If the MDC is going to formulate agricultural policy based upon Marxian economics, the continued impoverishment of all of Zimbabwe is assured.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: Graham

Graham — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:11:43 +0000

Nothing definitive or controversial here. The abundance of the words "review, identify and recommend" make this a non-policy. The only definitive position is the promise to compensate displaced commercial farmers using donor funds. Mugabe having wasted 30 years of opportunity to reform land tenure, the problem for an MDC government now will be trying to deliver change fast enough to address popular grievances - I predict MDC politicians will react in a similar ill-conceived knee-jerk fashion as Mugabe did when he realised he'd better do something quick.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: True Grit

True Grit — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:44:32 +0000

I see nothing wrong with an MDC Government controlled land reform policy. The aim, after all, is for this important sector to be once again the backbone of the market economy. And after the political shenanigans of Mugabe's failures the only way is controlled redistribution and training. With hard work and expertise the cooperative farms could be the most productive in Africa.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: scotchcart

scotchcart — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:24:59 +0000

OK that's long! In brief, what role does MDC see agriculture playing in the economy? [I am not lamenting the policy BTW - just interested - engine, social safety net, most exciting job under the sun and deeply desired by every youth?] One man one farm?? BTW - "irregardless" is a Zim invention! Regardless?

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: David Wheeler

David Wheeler — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:43:57 +0000

This report leaves me absolutely speechless... and shell-shocked. It's the kiss of death to agriculture in Zimbabwe.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment

By: Fish Eagle

Fish Eagle — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:21:07 +0000

A bold and wideranging set of policy reforms. Most especially the rationalization of title deeds and tenure will be welcomed by most Zim. perhaps not by those who hold multiple farms through patronage though.!!! It will need a lot of investment. Who is going to kick start the funds.? Perhaps the MDC are talking to the World Bank already.

Reply to this comment --- Quote from this comment