By Rex Mphisa
CONFLICTS between farmers and miners should be addressed with speed ensuring the two sectors operate in a climate conducive to bring Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround with acceptance the two are of equal economic importance.
This was a call by the Matabeleland South Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution on Saturday.
He was officially opening the 2026 Umzingwane District Agricultural and Trade Expo at Ncema Valley Country Club in Esigodini on Saturday.
Nguluvhe said stronger farmer-miner cooperation and market driven agriculture are key for the progress of Umzingwane district, Matabeleland South and Zimbabwe as a country.
“There is need for urgent action to address farmer-miner conflicts in Umzingwane District while farmers are encouraged to embrace market-driven and climate-smart agriculture as the our province strengthens efforts towards food self-sufficiency,” he said.
Umzingwane District, like most gold mining areas in Zimbabwe, has not been spared from minor but persistent conflicts between communal and irrigation farmers and artisanal small-scale gold miners.
These friction points revolve around land degradation, open unclaimed mining pits that injure livestock, water pollution, and labour competition.
Farmers often complain of unsystematic invasions on agro-land by artisanal miners who make fast money from their exploits which often involve unsafe mining which harms the environment.
Nguluvhe in his keynote address said he was concerned about the conflicts between farmers and miners, particularly cases where mining activities have resulted in the degradation of agricultural land.
“Land degradation compromises agricultural productivity and threatens efforts to improve household and provincial food security,” he said.
To address the challenge Nguluvhe directed the Umzingwane District Development Coordinator to convene a joint meeting bringing together miners and farmers from across the district.
“The meeting should provide a platform for stakeholders to openly discuss their concerns and develop practical solutions that allow agriculture and mining to co-exist sustainably while protecting productive land and supporting economic development.”
He also said it is important to address illegal settlement issues and other land-related disputes affecting orderly development within the district.
The event attracted 294 exhibitors drawn from crop and livestock producers, corporate organisations, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, uniformed forces and other sectors.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Umzingwane Constituency Levi. Mayihlome; the Umzingwane District Development Coordinator Peter Mahlathini, members of the Joint Operations Command, the Umzingwane Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Sithembiso Sibanda, Government officials; farmers; exhibitors; business representatives; and the community.