Project on tackling land rows starts in 5 villages

Morogoro. The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (Pelum-Tanzania) has started resolving land disputes in Morogoro District.

The four-year project known as Citizens Engaging in Government Oversight funded by Usaid is being undertaken in Lubungo, Mikese, Newland, Luholole and Mfumbwe villages in the district.

Speaking at a dialogue on “what has to be done to end land disputes” which involved various stakeholders, the Pelum-Tanzania coordinator, Mr Donati Senzia, said the project aims at empowering small-scale farmers and pastoralists on land rights to strengthen accountability, transparency and sustainable development on land use issues.

He said the project is conducted in villages where land conflicts are frequent, resulting killings, injuries and destruction of property.

Mr Senzia said efforts should stepped up to promote awareness of villagers on land laws to reduce disputes.

Mikese Ward land council secretary Ramadhani Simba blamed village chairpersons for selling haphazardly, causing land disputes.

He advised the government to conduct a campaign to raise awareness on land matters to end the conflicts.

He proposed that tough rules should be set to stop village leaders from selling other people’s plots.

Morogoro District commissioner Regina Chonjo said land disputes were rampant in the areas and human lives have been lost.

She said there was enmity between farmers and herders. “Yesterday a farmer was killed by a pastoralist. He tried to drive away cattle that had invaded his farm. The issue is very serious. It’s important to hold talks between farmers and pastoralists to end the animosity.”