Daniel Burger and Miriam Mupambawashe work together on paprika farms in central Zimbabwe. Burger comes from a white farming family that kept their land during the 2000s reforms. Mupambawashe received land when the government took farms from white owners and gave them to black citizens. Around 4,000 white farms were seized during the violent redistribution program. Many new farmers struggled because they lacked experience with agriculture.
Mupambawashe moved from Bulawayo city to start farming but faced many problems at first. Thieves stole irrigation equipment and crops failed multiple times during her early years. Some white farmers helped her learn proper techniques and shared their tractors. She admits the failures embarrassed her but she kept trying to improve. Her farm produces enough food that she only buys sugar and cooking oil from stores.
The government promised to pay former white farmers 3.5 billion dollars for lost infrastructure. Officials could not raise cash and changed the deal to treasury bonds instead of money. Some farmers received their first payments this year after waiting more than 20 years. Many former owners remain frustrated with the slow compensation process and worry about bond security.
Zimbabwe recently gave full ownership rights to people who received land during the reforms. The new policy replaces 99-year rental agreements with permanent ownership papers. Farmers can sell their land or use it as loan security under the updated rules. Both partners believe the changes will help Zimbabwe rebuild its farming reputation across Africa.
Mupambawashe moved from Bulawayo city to start farming but faced many problems at first. Thieves stole irrigation equipment and crops failed multiple times during her early years. Some white farmers helped her learn proper techniques and shared their tractors. She admits the failures embarrassed her but she kept trying to improve. Her farm produces enough food that she only buys sugar and cooking oil from stores.
The government promised to pay former white farmers 3.5 billion dollars for lost infrastructure. Officials could not raise cash and changed the deal to treasury bonds instead of money. Some farmers received their first payments this year after waiting more than 20 years. Many former owners remain frustrated with the slow compensation process and worry about bond security.
Zimbabwe recently gave full ownership rights to people who received land during the reforms. The new policy replaces 99-year rental agreements with permanent ownership papers. Farmers can sell their land or use it as loan security under the updated rules. Both partners believe the changes will help Zimbabwe rebuild its farming reputation across Africa.
