Land security key to unlocking horticulture investment, HDC Urges

CLOUDINE MATOLA
The Horticulture Development Council (HDC) has called on the government to prioritise land security in order to unlock investment in contract farming, particularly for the export market.

According to the council, secure land tenure is essential to attract global investors, particularly from high-value markets such as Singapore, who are ready to fund production if Zimbabwean farmers are guaranteed long-term control over their land.

The HDC’s operations manager, Mandla Mataure, told Business Times that investors are increasingly keen to partner with Zimbabwean horticulture producers but remain hesitant due to the lack of land tenure clarity.

“Zimbabwe stands a very good chance at getting our produce there. We already know that our produce is good quality, good taste, all of that. So I think we need to look into it more seriously,” Mataure said, speaking on the sidelines of a breakfast seminar disseminating findings from a recent Singapore market scan.

“I was having conversations now and finding out that there is a possibility to attract investment into the production, so that the contracts that are then signed between Zimbabwean growers and Singaporean buyers have that investment component locked in as well, so that there is money flowing in to support the actual production that’s going to then supply that market at the end of the day. So it does sound quite exciting,” he added.

Mataure emphasised that land tenure must be clearly defined and legally protected in order to instil investor confidence.

“It is more just making sure that what they call ring-fencing and security of tenure—that is what you need. So whatever it is—if the title deed is issued, or if it’s a 99-year lease or whatever document that gives the farmer the right to be on that land—it needs to be protected, however that looks,” he said.

“It could be whether it’s a BIPA [Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement], or whatever arrangement it is, that title is then what also gives confidence to an investor to then sign a contract—whether it’s from Singapore or whatever the country. It gives them that confidence to then partner with a Zimbabwean farmer to ensure that they then produce for that market.”

Mataure added that the horticulture industry is waiting for government guidance on the specifics of land ownership and its impact on investment viability.

“Look, at the end of the day, we are still waiting to be guided by the government on the issue of title and what that means in terms of transferability and bankability. So a lot of the conditions that any investor would have is around security of land,” he said.

“So if there can be some level of guarantee given to us—whether it’s by the Ministry of Lands, whether it’s by ZIDA [Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency], whether it’s by any other regulatory authority—to ring-fence and protect the investments, then I’m sure the money will start to flow in without too much of a problem.

“Especially for the long term. I mean, if you are saying you are ring-fencing a project for 10 years, it’s a long period of time. So there needs to be that guarantee that there will be security and protection on that investment.”

Meanwhile, ZimTrade operations manager Similo Nkala said the recent market scan conducted in Singapore revealed significant opportunities for Zimbabwean horticultural exports—if farmers can meet the market’s rigorous standards.

“Our market scan in Singapore earlier this year was not just a fact-finding mission—it was a revelation that set our hearts ablaze. Engagements and observations during the scan pointed to a cash-rich hub where consumers demand quality, consistency, and sustainability,” Nkala said.

“What this means is our Zimbabwean exporters must ensure that supply is consistent, and we maintain delivering the quality produce we have come to be known for.”

Nkala noted that the country’s potential had not gone unnoticed by key players in Singapore’s food and retail ecosystem.

“We met retailers who stock the shelves of Singapore’s iconic supermarkets daily, importers who move billions in goods, and logistics gurus who make global trade hum—and they were all impressed by the Zimbabwean business promise and are keen to explore trade relationships with us,” he said.

The remarks come at a time when Zimbabwe is working to revitalise its horticulture sector as part of broader export-led growth strategies.

However, experts continue to cite land tenure insecurity as a key impediment to long-term private sector participation, especially in capital-intensive and export-driven sub-sectors such as horticulture.