Residents oppose land consolidation programme

MUSANZE - Some residents of Cyuve sector in Musanze District are opposed to the idea of merging their small plots of land under the land consolidation policy, local leaders say. The leaders said on Tuesday during a security meeting, that at least 100 families in the sector, had recently started planting their own choice of crops on small farmlands, contrary to the district’s directive. Land consolidation, is a national government policy aimed at improving food security, which requires farmers to merge their small plots of land so as to engage in extensive farming. Authorities warned residents to desist from land wrangles and embrace the land consolidation policy so as to increase food production. The Mayor, Celestin Karabayinga, urged residents to develop the culture of tolerance, unity and reconciliation, saying it is necessary for their harmonious co-existence. “All this (conflicts) result from the bad history which forced some people into exile, leaving their property behind, you should therefore be tolerant to one another,’’ Karabayinga said, in reference to land wrangles in the area. The meeting was partly convened to enforce the sharing of 20 hectares of land currently under dispute between 15 families in Gataraga sector. Sources say sharp differences emanating from land disputes among residents were escalating in the district. So bad is the situation residents claim a man identified as Damascene Burinoti, 56, of Cyuve, was recently found murdered in his farm. Ends