Leasing of restituted commercial farms: An alternative to achieving the National Development Plan

Abstract

Land restitution in the agricultural industry has not achieved the inclusive growth objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) which include (1) increased and sustainable livelihoods for its beneficiaries, in particular, those from poor communities and (2) increased agricultural output. The writer considers the option of leasing restituted commercial farms as an alternative towards achieving these objectives. He goes further, calling for the leasing of a restituted commercial farm to an ‘optimum farmer’ who will benefit the owners of the farm, the ‘optimum farmer’ and the society at large through increased production.