Impact of land reform policy on tobacco export performance: case of Zimbabwe

This study seeks to analyze the impact of land reform on the export performance of tobacco, since the cash crop is a major foreign currency earner for Zimbabwe. A gravity model was adopted for the study using secondary panel data from 1992 to 2018. The findings show that 17.2% of the explanatory variables in the model are responsible for changes in tobacco export performance. Land reform, agricultural financial assistance, and distance had significant negative effects on tobacco exports. Land reform must be accompanied by other reforms that complement its success, such as market structure, financing arrangements, and property rights.This research provides critical insights into the effects of land reform on Zimbabwe’s tobacco export performance, highlighting the complexities and challenges associated with policy changes in agricultural sectors. The study reveals that while land reform is intended to empower local farmers and redistribute resources, it can also negatively affect export performance without complementary reforms. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to land reform, where improvements in market structures, financing arrangements and property rights are integrated to enhance the success and sustainability of reforms.