By Violet Mashonga
A total of 1,000 farmers were handed title deeds under the Presidential Title Deeds Programme at a ceremony held at Craigengower Farm in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, on August 25, 2025.
The event was officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and attended by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka.
The programme is part of government’s efforts to provide farmers with secure land ownership, a move authorities say will boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the country’s economy. Beneficiaries included mainly A1 farmers, among them war veterans.
In addition to the title deeds, the President also commissioned production booster kits as part of an irrigation package designed to cover one hectare of irrigated land. Officials said the kits are intended to improve crop yields and enhance food security.
The irrigation packages are supported by a US$6,000 loan facility from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), repayable over seven years. Farmers will also have up to 20 years to pay for their title deeds.
Minister Masuka said the initiative marked a significant milestone in efforts to empower farmers and modernise agriculture. “This is a crucial step in ensuring security of tenure for our farmers and enabling them to invest more productively in their land,” he said.
Government has described the programme as a long-term measure to empower rural communities, expand agricultural output, and attract more investment into the sector.
