Govt Splits Lands and Agriculture Ministry in Portfolio Restructure

 

Government has separated the former Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development into two standalone ministries following a restructuring of government portfolios announced by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

In a statement issued by the Office of the President and Cabinet, authorities said the reorganisation seeks to streamline oversight of land administration, agricultural production and rural development programmes by allocating responsibilities across two specialised ministries.

“Following a review of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development portfolio, His Excellency the President notifies that the Ministry has been divided into two separate portfolios,” the statement read.

Under the new structure, government has created the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development.

The Office of the President and Cabinet said the restructuring was accompanied by fresh ministerial appointments in line with constitutional provisions governing executive authority.

“Consequently, in terms of Subsection 1 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, His Excellency the President has made the following appointment and re-assignment,” the statement added.

Vangelis Peter Haritatos was appointed Minister of Lands and Rural Development, while Anxious Jongwe Masuka was reassigned as Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development.

The portfolio split effectively separates land governance and rural settlement administration from agricultural production and water resource management, a move analysts say could allow government to sharpen policy focus on productivity, irrigation development and rural infrastructure delivery.

The restructuring comes at a time when agriculture remains central to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery strategy, contributing significantly to employment, food security and export earnings. 

Observers will be watching closely to assess whether the new ministerial configuration improves coordination, investment attraction and implementation efficiency across the country’s agricultural value chains.