Were it not for the land revolution: cases of empowerment in Marondera District

Abstract

This chapter analyses the reality of empowerment of the people after the implementation of Zimbabwe’s Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) in 2000. Marondera District is used as a case study to test the extent to which the livelihoods of the new farmers have been transformed. The chapter addresses the issues facing the farmers as they attempt to increase the quality and quantity of their yields. The challenges facing the beneficiaries of the land reform are discussed. These include lack of subsidies, funding and farming equipment. Attention is paid to the size of the farm, types of crops, animals reared, prices of the produce as well as market access by the new farmers. In addition, factors such as employment creation are assessed. Interviews with key informants, farmers or beneficiaries of the FTLRP were conducted.