by Felix Malamula
In a bid to reduce or completely eradicate land disputes, Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE) is currently giving out ownership certificates to owners of parcels of land in all the project’s irrigation schemes.
PRIDE is an eight-year Government of Malawi project being implemented by the Department of Irrigation in the Ministry of Agriculture. Primarily, the project is constructing ten irrigation schemes in Machinga, Chitipa, Zomba, Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Phalombe and Chiradzulu.
Being an irrigation project, successful implementation of the project heavily relies on availability of land for farming and water for irrigation. Over the years, ownership of customary land has been dogged by challenges with various disputes affecting the timely cultivation of crops for farmers affected.
“We engaged the Ministry of Lands to assisting in issuing these certificates because we felt this is a better way to reduce or completely end the disputes,” says Winston Sataya, deputy director in the Department of Irrigation.
Sataya told a group of farmers who gathered to receive their certificates at Wowo Irrigation Scheme in Senior Chief NKhulambe’s area in Phalombe that it was the hope of the Ministry of Agriculture that the certificates will help in reducing occurrences of wrangles.
“This is the first scheme that is receiving these certificates. We would love to have this arrangement in all the schemes under PRIDE,” added Sataya.
Apart from Wowo irrigation scheme, PRIDE has also constructed Mlooka and Matoponi in Zomba, Mafinga and Marko in Chitipa and Lingoni in Machinga with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The Land Reforms Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Lands was responsible for the exercise with PRIDE providing financial and technical support. The Unit’s team leader Eunice Kaipsya told the gathering that the land ownership certificates can be equated to a title deed for land and that the certification is for life.
“With this certificate, no one will bother you again because it is like a title deed. This is for life and will surely end the disputes that you were facing over ownership of your parcels of land,” said Kaipsya.
One of the recipient farmers, Martha Chiotcha thanked PRIDE for the initiative which she says will assist her enjoy peace as she cultivates on her land.
“Land disputes are everywhere and here we are not spared. Everyday we hear of colleagues fighting over their parcels of land. This, for me, is a weapon I will use to protect my land,” said Chiotha while pointing at her certificate.
The issuing of the certificates follows a rigorous exercise that the Lands Reforms Implementation Unit undertook which included physical verification of the sizes of the parcels of land and identification of the owners with the guidance of traditional leaders.
It is expected that PRIDE will continue with the exercise in all the other schemes that are being constructed.