Public Debate on Land Grabbing in Tanzania

[Gad ONEYA]

Ukichagua hovyo..?

 

[Percival]

Hawa watu wenye ardhi hiyo wanaonyesha wana maisha duni sana, kwenye filamu hii hatukuonyeshwa mazao yoyote yanayoota hapo - inaonyesha ni njaa tupu- si bora ardhi itumike inavyostahili na wote wafaidike ? hawa watu watalipwa, watapata huduma hapo kijijini, wanaweza kupata shea kwenye mradi huo, watapata kazi, wafanya biashara ndogo ndogo watastawi, serikali itapata mapato. semeni ukweli lipi bora ?

 

[tartoo]

Hawa watu wenye ardhi hiyo wanaonyesha wana maisha duni sana, kwenye filamu hii hatukuonyeshwa mazao yoyote yanayoota hapo - inaonyesha ni njaa tupu- si bora ardhi itumike inavyostahili na wote wafaidike ? hawa watu watalipwa, watapata huduma hapo kijijini, wanaweza kupata shea kwenye mradi huo, watapata kazi, wafanya biashara ndogo ndogo watastawi, serikali itapata mapato. semeni ukweli lipi bora ?

Ingekuwa vema wananchi hao wangekuwa sehemu ya uwekezaji kwa sababu sehemu ya ardhi likuwa mikononi mwa kijiji na wana kijiji.Lakini kinachofanyika ni kinyume chake na serikali kwa makusudi kabisa imewafanya wenye nchi kuwa manamba kwenye haya mashamba.huu si ukoloni wa pili?

It make sense kama kuna co-ownership ya hiyo investment na dividend kwa ukubwa wa uwekezaji huo hata kama ingekuwa asilimia 15% ingekuwa jeki moja kubwa sana si kwa wananchi tu bali hata kwa serikali yenyewe ambayo haichoki kutembeza bakuli kama matonya wakati wakikanyaga dhahabu.

 

[kotinkarwak]

Exploitation, or a new opportunity for Africa?

Teach us how to exploit our resources.

Please watch and comment. (just loved the way this guy laughed throught out the interview. Kweli tutafika.....)

 

[nngu007]

There is not one land question in Sub-Saharan Africa! That is an established truth among land rights scholars. They regularly state it to challenge one-size-fits-all solutions within the land sector; universal titling, nationalisations, privatisations, collectivisations, etc. Problems related to land, they argue, are diverse and context specific. What is the right solution in one country at a certain time may be fatal in another.
Similarly, I have regularly been told that, when it comes to land, Tanzania is not Kenya. The ones telling me so are Tanzanians, who wish to underline the difference between the two countries when it comes to inequality. In Kenya there is a conspicuous correlation between possession of political power and land ownership. The leading politicians are also among the biggest land owners in the country.
Tanzania is different, I am told. Primarily because the first President, Julius Nyerere, restricted politicians’ and ministers’ involvement in business. But the more I learn about recent developments in the Tanzania, the more I am convinced that the story of Tanzanian equality has become a myth. This week the Citizen brought an article about villagers in Mvomero District who complain about Frederick Sumaye, Prime Minister from 1995 - 2005, who owns a large piece of land in their area.
During my research in two districts I have come across another former Prime Minister owning large tracts of land, and I have also heard of several MPs and a former President owning land on a large scale. I have come across these findings by pure coincidence; because it is not my field of study, I have not even been looking for this kind of large scale land ownership.
Of course Tanzania is different from Kenya. But when it comes to the convergence between political power and land ownership the difference may be smaller than what is commonly believed.

 

[BabuK]

The government yesterday expressed concern over the increasing wave of investors illegally buying large chunks of land from villagers for forest farming and management, apparently to engage in carbon trade.

"If the situation is not arrested, it will cause land conflicts in future, because most villagers do not understand the intricate international contracts," said Richard Muyungi, Assistant Director, Division of Environment, in the Vice President's Office.

Conservation area forest

Muyungi was speaking during a stakeholders' forum on climate change, which involved participants from Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara regions.

He said some investors have been engaging directly with villagers, grabbing large portions of land for forest investment through questionable contracts, which was against the country's laws.

"These people (investors) should follow procedures in acquiring land, to ensure that villagers are fairly compensated through proper contracts," he said, adding that contrary to that the move would create endless conflicts between investors and villagers in the future.

He stressed: "It is true we encourage investors to put money into the sector, but they should follow the set procedures and guidelines."

Muyungi noted that most investors have been motivated by forest management and reduction of green house gas emissions associated with the deforestation in developing countries as well as the carbon trade.

"But our people are not well versed in the business," he said, calling for more education among villagers especially on how to deal with investors, who wish to invest in their areas.

He acknowledged that most people in rural areas are unaware of land laws, a weakness that needs to be addressed by different stakeholders within and outside Tanzania.

On the impact of climate change, Muyungi explained that 60 per cent of Tanzania's land mass is susceptible to desertification and that water resources are becoming scarce as frequent droughts impact negatively on water catchments and other ecosystems.

"This threatens power production in the country as water sources dry up," he said, stressing that least developed countries are hardest hit by the adverse effects of climate change.

Earlier, opening the forum, Acting Arusha Regional Administrative Secretary, Twalieli Mchome admitted that climate change is a worldwide threat that is already being felt everywhere but more intensely among poor communities in Africa and Tanzania in particular.

He said that like other countries in the world, Tanzania is already a victim of the impacts of climate change.

Citing examples, Mchome said that prevalence of malaria, a climate related disease, has been reported in high altitude areas like Mbeya Region, Lushoto and Amani in Tanga region.

"Malaria wasn't common in those highland areas of Tanzania," he said, adding that spring wells that are sources of fresh groundwater in some parts of Bagamoyo and Pangani along the Indian Ocean Coast have been abandoned because of rising sea water levels.

He further explained that the north-eastern shores of the Indian Ocean at Pangani and Mziwe Island have been submerged.

Many lake basins such as those of Lake Victoria and Rukwa forming important components of the ecosystem have also been affected by the adverse impact of climate change.

"The impact of climate change has far reaching implications for the livelihood of Tanzanians, plus the country's social and economic development," he said, suggesting the need for local government authorities to allocate enough funds in their annual budget to spearhead efforts to conserve the environment.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

 

[MaxShimba]

Soon TZ will be like Kenya.

 

[Malila]

Tatizo lililopo ni kwamba makampuni haya yanachukua maeneo ambayo tayari wanavijiji wanayatumia kwa matumizi yao,yangekuwa yanakwenda huko porini zaidi ingekuwa nafuu kiasi.

 

[Mkeshahoi]

The government yesterday expressed concern over the increasing wave of investors illegally buying large chunks of land from villagers for forest farming and management, apparently to engage in carbon trade.
“If the situation is not arrested, it will cause land conflicts in future, because most villagers do not understand the intricate international contracts,” said Richard Muyungi, Assistant Director, Division of Environment, in the Vice President’s Office.

Muyungi was speaking during a stakeholders’ forum on climate change, which involved participants from Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara regions.
He said some investors have been engaging directly with villagers, grabbing large portions of land for forest investment through questionable contracts, which was against the country’s laws.
“These people (investors) should follow procedures in acquiring land, to ensure that villagers are fairly compensated through proper contracts,” he said, adding that contrary to that the move would create endless conflicts between investors and villagers in the future.
He stressed: “It is true we encourage investors to put money into the sector, but they should follow the set procedures and guidelines.”
Muyungi noted that most investors have been motivated by forest management and reduction of green house gas emissions associated with the deforestation in developing countries as well as the carbon trade.
“But our people are not well versed in the business,” he said, calling for more education among villagers especially on how to deal with investors, who wish to invest in their areas.
He acknowledged that most people in rural areas are unaware of land laws, a weakness that needs to be addressed by different stakeholders within and outside Tanzania.
On the impact of climate change, Muyungi explained that 60 per cent of Tanzania’s land mass is susceptible to desertification and that water resources are becoming scarce as frequent droughts impact negatively on water catchments and other ecosystems.
“This threatens power production in the country as water sources dry up,” he said, stressing that least developed countries are hardest hit by the adverse effects of climate change.
Earlier, opening the forum, Acting Arusha Regional Administrative Secretary, Twalieli Mchome admitted that climate change is a worldwide threat that is already being felt everywhere but more intensely among poor communities in Africa and Tanzania in particular.
He said that like other countries in the world, Tanzania is already a victim of the impacts of climate change.
Citing examples, Mchome said that prevalence of malaria, a climate related disease, has been reported in high altitude areas like Mbeya Region, Lushoto and Amani in Tanga region.
“Malaria wasn’t common in those highland areas of Tanzania,” he said, adding that spring wells that are sources of fresh groundwater in some parts of Bagamoyo and Pangani along the Indian Ocean Coast have been abandoned because of rising sea water levels.
He further explained that the north-eastern shores of the Indian Ocean at Pangani and Mziwe Island have been submerged.
Many lake basins such as those of Lake Victoria and Rukwa forming important components of the ecosystem have also been affected by the adverse impact of climate change.
“The impact of climate change has far reaching implications for the livelihood of Tanzanians, plus the country's social and economic development,” he said, suggesting the need for local government authorities to allocate enough funds in their annual budget to spearhead efforts to conserve the environment.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Sioni hoja ya msingi hapa..hasa kama mwekezaji ni mtanzania na ardhi anayoinunua anaiendeleza.. anatakiwa awezeshwe zaidi kuliko kudhoofishwa kwa kuali mgando ka hizi...!!

 

[Wacha1]

Mimi wala sioni shida kwani mwaka 1967 walitaifisha? Nini kitazuia kutaifishwa kwa siku za usoni? Subirini JK aking'olewa wote wanaocheza rafu watakiona cha mtema kuni.

 

[Malila]

Sioni hoja ya msingi hapa..hasa kama mwekezaji ni mtanzania na ardhi anayoinunua anaiendeleza.. anatakiwa awezeshwe zaidi kuliko kudhoofishwa kwa kuali mgando ka hizi...!!

Naam,
Ingekuwa ni sisi Watanzania ndio tunapata mapande hayo na kuinvest misitu ingekuwa bora, sasa ni wageni watupu, Mtanzania ukienda kuomba japo eka mia utazungushwa hadi ukome. Swali ni kwamba kauli hizi wanamtolea nani sasa?

 

[Shapu]

Tatizo lililopo ni kwamba makampuni haya yanachukua maeneo ambayo tayari wanavijiji wanayatumia kwa matumizi yao,yangekuwa yanakwenda huko porini zaidi ingekuwa nafuu kiasi.

Mhh Mkuu Malila, ningeshangaa kama usingetia timu hapa...najua hili ni eneo lako la kujidai...
Back to the point, ni kweli wangeenda porini zaidi ili waweze kuleta hata walau miundo mbinu ya barabara

 

[Malila]

Mhh Mkuu Malila, ningeshangaa kama usingetia timu hapa...najua hili ni eneo lako la kujidai...
Back to the point, ni kweli wangeenda porini zaidi ili waweze kuleta hata walau miundo mbinu ya barabara

Naam itabidi tupambane hivyo hivyo mkuu,
Ukiangalia, sehemu zote walizopewa ni zile ambazo serikali tayari imejenga barabara, madaraja,umeme hauko mbali na wakati mwingine wananunua misitu iliyo tayari ( Sao hill, Mitiki Tanga).

 

[sherlie martins]

As Tanzanians what are the rights we hold on our lands or what does the land policy say about land rights.Do we know what we want with our land?

 

[Mmongolilomo]

Yah kuna Land Policy of 1999 which gives the land ownership right to every Tanzanian and this policy grants special right to women, Also Land Act and Village Land Act both of 1999 recognize the right to use and ownership of land although all land in Tanzania is public land under President as a Trustee.

 

[Mmongolilomo]

On holding land one can be the owner/holder under lease hold on basis of land no 4 or free hold on basis of village land act no.5 of 1999 but be reminded a president can acquire any land if it is deemed so for any public development in favor of public interest.

 

[MkenyaMzalendo]

Hii taarifa imenichekesha.

Bangladesh and India are being allowed to lease huge tracts of land in Tanzania but people are worried about fellow Africans, fellow East Africans?





Bloody hypocrites

 

[Utingo]

hii taarifa imenichekesha.

Bangladesh and india are being allowed to lease huge tracts of land in tanzania but people are worried about fellow africans, fellow east africans?





Bloody hypocrites

source please???!!!!!!

 

[Mkubwa ndevu]

Chama cha magamba na c asa za dengu

 

[babuwaloliondo]

DHAKA (AFP) – Bangladesh has leased tens of thousands of hectares of farmland in Africa as part of a government drive to improve food security in the poverty-stricken South Asian nation, an official said Tuesday.
Two Bangladeshi companies have leased 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of land in Uganda and Tanzania and another firm will sign a deal for a further 10,000 hectares in Tanzania this week, foreign ministry director Farhadul Islam said.
"The government strongly supports companies leasing farmland in Africa. The aim is to bring most of the farms' output back to Bangladesh to ease food shortages," he told AFP.
Bangladesh's 150 million citizens have been hit hard by sharp increases in the price of rice, the staple grain, which was up by an average 50 percent year-on-year in April, according to official figures.
The country was once self-sufficient in rice, but industrial expansion and population growth mean farmland has been eaten up by factories and new residential areas.
Over the last few years, Bangladesh has become a major importer of rice and wheat, with grain imports up 86 percent year-on-year to $882 million for the last seven months of 2010, according to the central bank.
Neighbouring India has also made significant agriculture investments in African countries and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to leave for a five-day trip to the continent next Monday.
"We are committed to make fresh investments in the agriculture sector to enhance our level of engagement with Africa," Vivek Katju, a senior foreign ministry official in New Delhi, told reporters on Tuesday.
Last year, a delegation of Indian farmers visited several countries in Africa to scout for land available for long-term lease.
Since Bangladesh identified overseas farming as a key way of improving food security late last year, local businessmen have also scoured Africa for suitable land to lease, Islam said.
"African countries offer unique opportunities for farming investment," he said. "Companies from China and other countries are everywhere in Africa. If they can do it, why can't we?"
Abdul Matlub Ahmad, owner of Nitol Group, said his company signed a deal with the Ugandan government last month to lease farmland to grow rice.
"Under the deal, we can bring some 80 percent of our output back to the country after payment of some annual fees. We shall some employ 25,000 workers -- some 90 percent from Uganda," he told AFP.
He said the group and other Bangladeshi businessmen are looking for further land lease deals in Tanzania, Benin and Guinea.
"These governments are interested to strike agreements with us. I think it will open up vast new opportunities for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs," he said.


Bangladesh rents African land to boost food output - Yahoo! News