South African farmers will help rebuild Zimbabwean agriculture if the new government can resuscitate the stagnant sector.

Malwi's irrigation programme, which began in January, is already showing signs of success and is encouraging crop diversification.

Legislation is partly to blame for the agricultural sector's under-par contribution to South Africa, agricultural body AgriSA said on Wednesday.

For the past 30 years, Jose Vilomba (47) has walked barefoot on one of Africa's most fertile valleys using his hands and a shovel to plant vegetables.

Lack of support for emerging black farmers and mismanaged land reform are contributing to the ongoing woes of the Land Bank, say industry insiders.

AgriSA on Monday expressed concern over the tariff hike granted to Eskom, saying the increase would cost the agricultural sector about R300-million.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) needs to urgently tackle land issues to foster regional stability and promote sustainable economic growth, Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana said on Thursday. "For us to achieve the goal of land reform, we will require a major new effort to build capacity, both at national and regional levels," she said.