Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. AGRICULTURE deputy minister Davis Marapira has issued a stern warning to corrupt officials, calling for urgent protection of dairy farmers’ land through finalisation of the title deeds.
He warned that rampant land subdivision is crippling dairy production and pushing farmers to the brink.
Speaking at the Dairy Farmers Association annual general meeting in Beatrice on Wednesday, Marapira, said the most urgent issue facing dairy farmers today was security of tenure, especially in the form of title deeds.
He said without secure land ownership, dairy farmers are left vulnerable to land fragmentation, policy inconsistencies and loss of investment confidence.
“The most exciting thing for any farmer is the title deed. Every day, I hear farmers crying, their farms are being reduced into smaller pieces. But for a dairy farm, you need space to grow pastures. You need room to raise your herd,” he said.
Marapira decried the widespread practice of subdividing viable dairy farms into five-acre plots, saying this was threatening the commercial viability of the entire sector.
“If you are left with just five acres, it becomes very difficult to run a successful dairy operation. We now have farmers buying water just to keep going. How can that be viable?” he asked.
The deputy minister criticised a lack of practical know-how within key institutions, noting that while the Agriculture ministry may be filled with highly-educated individuals, there is often a gap between theory and practice.
“I have seen many doctors in my ministry. They are highly educated, yes, but they are limited by what’s on paper,” he said.
“In practice, they are failing. We need to be practical and support the dairy farmer to make sure he is viable and his land is protected.”
Marapira warned against opportunistic behaviour by some landholders and officials who repeatedly sell portions of dairy farms in pursuit of quick financial gain.
“It’s not right that when someone wants money, they just sell off five acres of a dairy farm. Then the next morning, they sell another five acres. That kind of behaviour must stop. It’s destroying the sector’s long-term potential.”
Marapira called on relevant ministries, particularly the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry, to stop issuing questionable leases and to help preserve the structure and size of existing dairy farms.
He also revealed that the ministry is actively partnering with private sector players, including irrigation firms , to support farmers with infrastructure, inputs and technical services.
“We have many partnerships with private companies to ensure there is viability. For example, we are working closely with irrigation firms to boost water access. Farmers must participate in such schemes.”
In a bid to further empower dairy farmers, Marapira disclosed that some banks were working with his ministry to provide tailored financial facilities for specific agricultural sectors, including dairy.
“We are making sure that, through one or two banks, facilities are available for the dairy sector. This is where we want farmers to focus, it’s a viable and important industry for the country,” he said.
Marapira’s remarks come at a time when Zimbabwe’s dairy sector is striving to recover from years of underinvestment and declining national milk output.
With the national demand for milk products rising, stakeholders have called for a coordinated strategy to protect land, improve breeds, and enhance farmer support systems.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
