The Union extends its special thanks and recognition, first and foremost, to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Sylvia Masebo, MP, for showing leadership in deferring the Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill No. 13 of 2025 to allow for further consultation.
This decision follows the recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources of the National Assembly, which took time to hear stakeholder views. To the Committee, we are grateful for the engagement and the outcome which now offers us an opportunity for consultations. The Union is aware that the outcome is because of efforts by the Union and other stakeholders that appeared before this committee to present concerns from farmers and others.
Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) welcomes this progressive outcome as it is a sign of government’s commitment to inclusive and informed legislative reforms. The Union firmly believes that meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential in addressing the persistent and complex challenges affecting land administration in the country.
In our view, the challenges, particularly those involving fraudulent land titles, remain a source of serious concern. We are confident that the consultation process will lead to decisive ways of resolving the cases of fraudulent title issuance including subjecting culprits to criminal proceedings. To this, we encourage the law enforcement agencies to move in swiftly as this will contribute to end this vice, restore public confidence in the land titling system and reinforce the rule of law.
ZNFU, through its nationwide structures, reaffirms its commitment to actively participate in the consultative process by the Ministry, which is expected to follow now that the process of enactment of the bill at Parliament has been halted, and on broader land governance reforms. We remain a willing partner in constructive dialogue in pursuit of a transparent, accountable, and secure land administration system that supports sustainable agricultural development, investments and protects the rights of land users.
Source: ZNFU
