Land underutilization hurting economy #zimbabwe

THE Danish government has blamed Zimbabwe's failing economy on the under-utilisation of huge tracts of land by beneficiaries of the government's land reform programme. Zimbabwe embarked on an extensive reform programme in 2000 to right historic imbalances in the distribution of land in the country. The chaotic and often violent programme drove away hundreds of white commercial farmers off the land, drawing condemnation from Western countries. Critics say the programme triggered a collapse in agricultural production contributing to a serious decade-long economic decline which also led to social and political strife. President Robert Mugabe denies his policies are responsible for the country's problems, blaming instead sanctions imposed by the West to punish his land reforms. The veteran leader also says the sanctions, which included blocking Zimbabwe's access to credit on the international markets, meant that beneficiaries of the land reforms were unable to access much-needed funds to boost productivity. But Danish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Erik Brogger Rusmussen, this week, said he was concerned that beneficiaries of the land reforms were not utilising the resource. Rusmussen was speaking during a tour of empowerment and youth development projects his government is funding in Mutoko on Wednesday. "A tough land reform was done in the country and that was part of empowerment," he said. "Give people the land and you would have empowered them, but the problem we see is that people were given access to land but they are failing to use it productively. "There was, and still is, politics surrounding Zimbabwe's relations with us but we are here for the people - to provide support and skills to the people." The envoy said funding was not the only problem hindering productivity in the agriculture sector. "Farming is business and one has to be equipped with knowledge and that is what we are doing here in Zimbabwe," he said. "We are supporting the country through developing the youths; giving them the knowledge and knowhow of doing practical things with the land." In Mutoko the Danish government, working with the International Labour Organisation, is supporting over 200 unemployed youths with training in agriculture. The youths are being taught modern ways of farming including budgeting and project management. After training, the beneficiaries are given access to small loans to purchase farming inputs which they would pay back after harvesting. The initiative is not only being carried out Mutoko but in all the country's 30 districts