An Evaluation of the Relationship between Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme and Poverty Alleviation: A Case Study of Nyabira Area in Mashonaland West Province

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the relationship between Zimbabwe's Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) and poverty alleviation. The research focused on three farms in Nyabira area of Mashonaland west province in Zimbabwe. The research sought to understand the causes of poverty before the  Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), the relationship between the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) and poverty alleviation, the benefits of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) and whether the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) was a conflict resolution tool or not. A mixed methodology comprising both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaires) research approaches was adopted. Documentary analysis in the form of newspapers, desktop research and publications provided secondary data. Research findings revealed that before the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), poverty was caused by shortage of arable land, poor farming methods, shortage of farming implements and climatic changes. The majority of the respondents concurred that the land reform programme had alleviated poverty. The respondents were also of the opinion that the land reform programme brought with it some benefits. Landless people were able to access land; the land reform programme alleviated poverty and created employment to unemployed members of the community. The Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) managed to solve the longstanding land dispute. From the research findings, it is recommended that the Government of Zimbabwe should continue to avail more land to its citizenry but it should make sure that the land is put to good use. Since the other causes of poverty before the land reform programme were shortage of farming implements the government should ensure that these available before each planting season. Irrigation equipment should also be made available. The government of Zimbabwe should avoid creating more land disputes by giving land to people who are not originally from a particular area at the expense of the local community. Land should be distributed to any deserving person, irrespective of gender to avoid further gender imbalances.