As Zambia pursues agricultural transformation and increased private sector investment, access to land has become a critical policy issue. In recent years, debates have intensified over how to balance commercial agricultural development with the protection of customary land rights and community interests.
The Agricultural Lands (Amendment) Bill No. 31 of 2026 seeks to introduce key reforms aimed at streamlining land administration while enhancing stakeholder participation in decision-making processes.
Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times (ZBT) Agriculture expert Rwinck Mapanza said the proposed amendment comes at a critical time when Zambia is experiencing increasing demand for agricultural land from both local and foreign investors.
”The inclusion of the House of Chiefs on the Agricultural Lands Board is a progressive step because it gives traditional authorities a direct voice in decisions that affect customary land and rural communities,” Mapanza said.
He noted that traditional leaders remain custodians of most customary land in Zambia and are often the first point of engagement when land is being earmarked for commercial development. He explained that the effectiveness of the provision will ultimately depend on how the law defines community consent and the extent of influence chiefs will have in board decisions. ”Simply having a seat at the table is not enough.
The real question is whether that representation translates into meaningful influence over decisions involving customary land conversion. If the role is merely advisory, communities may still face challenges in protecting their interests,” he said. Mapanza added that farmers and rural communities should closely follow the development of regulations under the proposed law to ensure that mechanisms for obtaining community consent are clearly outlined. A transparent process requiring documented and informed consent from affected communities would help reduce disputes and improve confidence in land administration.
On another key provision in the bill, which proposes reducing the quorum for Agricultural Lands Board meetings to five members, Mapanza said the amendment presents both opportunities and risks. He acknowledged that reducing the quorum could help address long-standing delays in land administration and improve service delivery for farmers seeking lease approvals and land-related decisions.
”One of the major complaints from stakeholders has been the slow pace of decision-making. A lower quorum can make it easier for the board to meet and clear pending matters, which is beneficial for investment and agricultural productivity,” he said.
He cautioned that land allocation decisions carry significant longterm consequences and should not be made without adequate representation from various stakeholders. ”Land is a strategic national resource. If major decisions can be made by only a handful of members, there is a risk that important perspectives from farmers, traditional authorities, women, youth, and other interest groups may not be adequately represented,” he noted.
He warned that a smaller quorum could potentially concentrate decision-making power and weaken accountability if sufficient oversight mechanisms are not established. To balance efficiency with accountability, Mapanza su uggested introducing differentiated decision-making thresholds, where routine matters could proceed with a lower quorum while major land allocations would require broader participation.
He also recommended mandatory representation of key stakeholder groups during board meetings and greater transparency through the publication of board decisions, meeting minutes, and land allocation records. ”Efficiency is important, but it must not come at the expense of transparency and public trust.
The public should be able to see how decisions are made and have avenues for appeal where necessary,” he said. Mapanza further urged Parliament and policymakers to ensure that the final legislation contains strong conflict-of-interest provisions to safeguard against abuse of authority.
Article Francine Chibuye
