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Land, investment and production in agrarian transformation in Zimbabwe

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  • Chavunduka, Charles
  • Dipura, Romeo
  • Vudzijena, Vimbai

Abstract

The study reviews the Fast Track Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe and investigates the extent to which it provided incentives for investment and technology adoption to increase labor productivity in the agricultural sector. It is informed by an agrarian transformation theoretical framework that is underpinned by Engel’s Law and the Timmer-Mellor development trajectory. Use is made of a desk study of relevant literature and empirical data drawn from various organizations that have been tracking the progress of the land reform programme. Findings from the study show that the Fast Track Land Reform Programme delivered well on equity and social justice but much less on land use efficiency and environmental conservation as technology adoption and investment by reform beneficiaries remained low. Low public investments in infrastructure and services constrained trade and agrarian transformation. Land reform that integrates technology adoption and investments is needed and scope exists towards this through proper attention to land governance, land tenure and macroeconomic policies in general. Good land governance has a positive impact on public and private investment and therefore technology adoption, the key ingredient for increased labor productivity in the agricultural sector.

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  • Chavunduka, Charles & Dipura, Romeo & Vudzijena, Vimbai, 2021. "Land, investment and production in agrarian transformation in Zimbabwe," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:105:y:2021:i:c:s0264837721000946
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang Zhang & Huimin Zhou & Shuxian Li & Zhibin Zhao & Junbo Xu & Yuansuo Zhang, 2024. "Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Urban Land Use Efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Gong, Maogang & Zhong, Yanan & Zhang, Yun & Elahi, Ehsan & Yang, Yuanxi, 2023. "Have the new round of agricultural land system reform improved farmers' agricultural inputs in China?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    3. Robert Becker Pickson & Peng Gui & Lirong Jian & Elliot Boateng, 2025. "The role of private sector investment in agriculture: A catalyst for sustainable development in Asia," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 113-128, February.
    4. Changdong Ye & Pingping Deng & Chunpeng Ke & Xiaoping Fu & Jiyang Mi & Long Zhou, 2025. "A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Carbon Storage Change During the Process of Land Consolidation," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-29, March.

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