The Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ) has thrown its weight behind the proposed Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill, 2025, but has also raised key concerns about the implementation of the law, especially how it might affect farmers across the country.
The Bill, which is currently under review by the Zambian government, aims to give the Chief Registrar of Lands the power to cancel Certificates of Title in cases where land was acquired through fraud, legal violations, or administrative errors. This move is meant to tighten land governance, which has long faced issues of double allocations, illegal sales, and forged documentation.
In a public statement released by AIZ President, Professor Kavwanga E.S. Yambayamba, the organisation welcomed the government’s intention to strengthen land management systems. He said the proposal, if properly enforced, could bring transparency, legality, and fairness to land ownership in Zambia—a major challenge that has affected development in both urban and rural areas.
But the Institute also issued a strong word of caution. AIZ stressed that while fixing loopholes in land title management is necessary, the government must make sure that such changes do not lead to new problems, especially for small- and medium-scale farmers, many of whom already face land insecurity.
Professor Yambayamba explained that secure land tenure is critical for agriculture to thrive. Farmers, he said, need assurance that their land cannot be taken away without a fair process. If the new law gives unchecked power to the Chief Registrar to cancel land titles, it could scare away investors and threaten the livelihoods of rural farmers.
The Institute expressed support for the part of the Bill that seeks to cancel titles obtained through fraud or illegality, but insisted that any cancellation process must be transparent and carried out under independent oversight. AIZ is calling for proper checks and balances, including oversight by neutral bodies, to avoid the misuse of this new power by public officials.
One of the issues AIZ flagged is the provision that allows appeals against title cancellation decisions to be first handled by a Minister. The Institute warned that this could compromise fairness and instead proposed that such appeals be sent to an independent tribunal or a court of law to ensure objectivity.
Another concern raised by AIZ is the lack of public awareness around the new Bill. The Institute advised the Ministry of Lands to conduct widespread sensitisation campaigns, particularly in rural areas, to educate people about the law. Many landowners, especially farmers in remote communities, may not be fully aware of their land rights or the implications of the proposed changes.
AIZ also recommended that the law include clear protection for bona fide land purchasers—those who bought land in good faith without knowing there were any irregularities with the title. The Institute said such people should not be punished for mistakes made by others, such as dishonest sellers or corrupt land officers.
The Institute ended its statement by expressing its full commitment to supporting laws that encourage responsible agriculture and effective land administration. Professor Yambayamba said AIZ is ready to work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the amendment addresses past mistakes without creating new threats for farmers and land users.
Land disputes and insecure titles have been a major problem in Zambia for many years. With the agricultural sector playing a key role in the country’s economy and food supply, ensuring fair and secure access to land remains a top priority for development.
