Harare— Newly appointed Lands Minister Vangelis Haritatos has declared that land — the central pillar of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle — must now serve as the primary vehicle for achieving national food sovereignty, warning that farmers carry the weight of a nation’s reliance.

In a public statement issued on Zimbabwe’s 46th Independence anniversary, Haritatos said the country’s farming community cannot afford to fail a citizenry that depends on their output.

“As farmers, the Nation depends on us. We cannot let them down,” Haritatos wrote on his official ministry handle, @MoLAFWRD_Zim.

The minister, who was born after independence, expressed deep gratitude to liberation war veterans, noting that he personally enjoys the fruits of a free, democratic, and sovereign Zimbabwe “without fear of being persecuted because of race, culture, political affiliation, and religion.”

However, he stressed that gratitude alone is insufficient without tangible results from the land reform programme.

“Land was at the centre of the fight and we now need to ensure that it is truly the enabler into ensuring the food sovereignty of our beautiful Nation,” Haritatos said. “This is our country, and we need to have the solution.”

The minister’s remarks come as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with recurrent food security challenges despite the redistributive land reforms initiated more than two decades ago. His appointment to the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development portfolio signals a renewed push for productivity-driven land use.

Haritatos concluded his message with the ministry’s rallying cry: “Our land, Our prosperity!”