Implications of Pro-market Land Policies on Customary Land Users in Zambia: A Case of Large-Scale Land Investments in Kaindu Chiefdom, Mumbwa District

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to: 1) establish whether or not the current land policies protect customary tenure in Zambia; 2) investigate the level of awareness of pro-market land policies by customary land users in Zambia; 3) investigate the impact of pro-market land policies on customary land users in view of large scale land acquisition in Zambia; 4) investigate the constraints in administering customary land in view of the large scale land acquisitions in Zambia; and 5) recommend mechanisms to put in place by government that may improve customary tenure security in view of large scale land acquisition in Zambia. Methodologically, qualitative methods (largely in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) were used to conclude that current land law and regulations regarding the large scale allocation of customary land for investment are weak and therefore unable to protect the rights of land users. In trying to achieve the objectives of the country in attracting more land based investments, communities occupying land in customary areas are increasingly being displaced without or with meagre compensation. Displacements in turn lead to socio-economic exclusion, land conflicts, tenure insecurity, and enclosures of common pool resources. We recommend the adoption of a pro-poor land policy which provides a holistic and well balanced approach to governing large scale land investments in customary settings, and establishment of mandatory village land trusts to preside over all land related matters in order to have an all-encompassing representation in decision making regarding allocation of large parcels of land.